Black Rose Shrimp
Neocaridina davidi var. 'Black Rose'
Min Tank Size
10L
Adult Size
3 cm
Lifespan
2 years
School Size
6+
About
Black Rose Shrimp are a selectively bred color variant of Neocaridina davidi, the same hardy species behind cherry shrimp, blue velvets, and a dozen other popular morphs. What sets them apart is that deep, near-black coloration with a subtle chocolate or burgundy undertone that shows in certain lighting. Against a light substrate or a tank full of green plants, they're genuinely striking in a way that catches people off guard for such a small animal. They originated from the same captive breeding programs that produced other high-grade Neocaridina varieties, and like all Neocaridina, they don't come with the finicky water demands of their Caridina cousins.
5, moderate hardness, and temperatures anywhere from 18 to 28 degrees Celsius will suit them fine, though stability matters more than hitting any exact number. They're scavengers and grazers at heart, spending most of their time picking through substrate, biofilm on plant surfaces, and any leaf litter or driftwood in the tank. A varied diet of algae wafers, blanched vegetables, and occasional protein keeps them healthy and breeding consistently.
Females carry eggs under their tail and fan them until the miniature shrimp hatch fully formed, bypassing any larval stage entirely. A small colony can fill out a planted nano tank surprisingly fast. Color quality can vary between breeders, and it does improve over generations with selective culling of lighter individuals.
Check out real tank builds featuring Black Rose Shrimp to see how different substrate and lighting choices bring out that dark coloration.
Water Parameters
Temperature
°CpH
GH
dGHKH
dKHSwimming Level
Flow Preference
Keeping multiple Black Rose Shrimp together
Black Rose Shrimp are shoaling fish and need company of their own kind. Keep a group of at least 6. Smaller groups leave them stressed, washed-out in color, and prone to hiding.
Compatibility
These shrimp do best in a species-only nano tank or alongside very small, truly peaceful fish. Ember tetras, chili rasboras, pygmy corydoras, and small otocinclus are commonly paired with them successfully. Any fish large enough to fit a shrimp in its mouth will eventually eat one, even supposedly peaceful community fish like neon tetras can pick off juveniles. Avoid anything with a reputation for curiosity or nippy behavior. Other Neocaridina varieties will interbreed freely, so keep Black Roses separate if color purity matters. Snails like nerites and mystery snails make excellent tankmates.
Commonly kept with
Species this one is most often paired withCommonly tried but avoid
Often paired, but shouldn't beCare Notes
The most common mistake is treating water changes carelessly. Even a small parameter swing during a water change can trigger mass molting and deaths. Always match temperature and dechlorinate thoroughly. Copper is an absolute no, present in many common plant fertilizers and medications at levels that kill shrimp quickly. A mature, cycled tank with stable parameters and good biofilm growth gives them the best start. Don't overfilter with strong flow, a sponge filter is ideal.
Behavior & Aggression
Black Rose Shrimp have essentially no aggression to speak of. Males will chase females during molting periods and there's a brief scramble when food hits the substrate, but nothing that causes harm. They pose zero threat to tankmates of any size and won't disturb plants, snails, or other shrimp. The only real concern runs the other direction: most fish see them as a snack rather than a neighbor.
Things to Know
- Copper in any form is lethal, check all medications and fertilizers.
- Color deepens over generations, cull lightly colored shrimp to maintain quality.
- Highly sensitive to sudden water parameter changes, acclimate slowly.
- Will breed readily, populations can grow fast in a species-only setup.
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