Chocolate Shrimp (Black Rose)

Species Overview

Common Name: Chocolate Shrimp, Black Cherry Shrimp, Black Rose
Scientific Name: Neocaridina davidi var. "Chocolate"
Genus: Neocaridina
Wild Origin: Asia (Selective Breed)
Adult Size: 1.2in

**Note:  All livestock orders will come carefully packaged with solid wall Styrofoam insulation and shipped via 1-day shipping only. No additional insulation is needed for your livestock.

The Chocolate Shrimp is a popular choice for freshwater shrimp hobbyists because of its intriguing dark color, as well as being relatively easy to care for and breed. Characterized by deep, rich hues ranging from burnt umber to a dark, near-black cocoa, these shrimp are the result of meticulous selective breeding of the Red Cherry line. Interestingly, the Chocolate Shrimp is a genetic powerhouse; it is the direct ancestor of many other popular varieties, including the Yellow Goldenback and Blue Dream. Whether they appear as a solid dark brown or feature subtle striping over a translucent base, they offer a unique, moody aesthetic that stands out brilliantly against light-colored sand or bright green moss.

As aquatic pets, Chocolate Shrimp are prized for their extreme hardiness and versatility. They are among the most resilient freshwater shrimp available, making them an ideal candidate for beginners or for community tanks where parameters might fluctuate slightly. They are peaceful, social, and function as a tireless clean-up crew, grazing on biofilm and algae to keep your shrimp aquarium balanced and clean.

Key Features & Important Notes

• Tank-raised specimen
  
• Unique chocolate to near-black coloration provides a natural, sophisticated look.
  
• To increase survival rates, please allow 2-3 business days after placing an order to properly prepare live animal shipments

Recommended Water Parameters

Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. We encourage you to do thorough research before committing to keeping any livestock.

• Temperature Range: 65–80°F
• pH: 7.0–7.6
• TDS: 200-300 ppm
• GH: 4-8 dGH
• KH: 3-15 dKH

Recommended Tank Size

5+ gallons, minimum. Tank size is relative, and various factors should be considered when determining tank size. A larger setup (10–20 gallons) is always recommended to ensure stable water chemistry and to allow a healthy colony of these social shrimp to thrive.

Diet

Omnivorous. Chocolate Shrimp are natural foragers. While they continually graze on naturally occurring algae and biofilm, their diet should be supplemented with high-quality vegetable-based shrimp pellets or wafers. Adding textured hardscape elements like lava rock to your aquascape is highly recommended; the rough texture increases surface area, encouraging optimal biofilm growth for your colony to feed on.

Breeding

Chocolate Shrimp do not occur in the wild; their unique lines are entirely captive-bred and maintained. Once mature, males are visibly smaller, while females feature a larger underbelly and a "saddle" behind the head where unfertilized eggs are held. We recommend starting with 8–10 specimens to ensure a healthy male-to-female ratio for a thriving colony.

These shrimp are eager breeders given stable water parameters and abundant food. The breeding cycle triggers when a fertile female molts and releases pheromones. After mating, she becomes "berried," carrying the eggs through a 2-week gestation period. The resulting fry are completely self-sufficient, feeding on the same biofilm and algae as adults. Always leave molted shells in the tank so the developing fry can consume them for the essential calcium and minerals needed to fuel their frequent growth molts.

Keep in mind that if you are keeping shrimp with other species of fish, or possibly aggressive shrimp species, this may affect reproduction. If the shrimp feel threatened or don’t have places in your tank to hide, they may not breed.

Team Buce Plant Tips

If you're new to the hobby, learn the fundamentals with our Freshwater Aquarium Shrimp Care Guide . Before introducing your new livestock into a new tank, learn about the perfect drip rate and timing in 7 Easy Steps to Drip Acclimate Shrimp and Fish . Whether you need active soil or inert sand, you can find the perfect fit to stabilize your parameters in our Best Substrate for Shrimp Guide . When your tank is balanced and your colony is thriving, check out our step-by-step breakdown on How to Breed Freshwater Shrimp.