Bamboo Shrimp (Atyopsis moluccensis)
Bamboo Shrimp make an unusual addition to a community aquarium and are a favourite amongst shrimp fans.
They are quite friendly and thrive better in groups as they can become a little territorial with each other if numbers are low.
Instead of claws like your typical shrimp, they have evolved special fan-like attachments with hooks located on the fans which the shrimp use to filter microscopic particles of food from the flowing water.
The Bamboo Shrimps colouring can differ from brown, tan, sandy, yellow or greenish depending on their mood, where they were caught, its diet, their shedding process, and what plants are prevailing in the tank. They also display thin, tan stripes down their sides and a thick white or light yellow line along their back.
Good filtration, stable and clean water conditions, along with proper water circulation is a must for this species.
Photos
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Atyopsis moluccensis |
| Other Names | Wood shrimp, Singapore flower shrimp, Asian filter shrimp, Asian feeder shrimp |
| Classification | Malacostraca |
| Order | Decapoda |
| Family | Atyidae |
| Genus | Atyopsis |
| Origins | |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | Bottom - Middle |
| Difficulty | Beginner - Intermediate |
| Shoaling | No |
| Best kept as | Groups 6+ |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | Egg-Layer |
| Lifespan | 2 - 3 years |
| Water Parameters | |
|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater |
| PH | 6.5 - 7.5 |
| GH | 5 - 10 |
| KH | 3-10 |
| Temperature | |
|---|---|
| 73 - 84℉ 22.8 - 28.9℃ | |
Feeding
In the home aquarium, the Bamboo Shrimp will readily accept most good quality dried foods such as granules, flakes and sinking pellets. These modern food products have been developed to provide all adequate nutrition to maintain your fish's health and dietary requirements.
Providing additional foodstuffs such as live, frozen, and freeze-dried meals such as bloodworm, daphnia, and tubifex once or twice a week will provide additional benefits to your fish's health and well-being but is not a must for this fish.
It should be noted that bloodworms should only be given as an occasional treat and should not be used as the staple diet as they are difficult for fish to digest and can potentially cause blockages.
This fish is an omnivore in the wild, meaning it will consume some vegetable matter. Although most modern fish foods take this into account and include them in their products, you can still supplement your fish's diet with blanched vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, and zucchini. Ensure you do not overfeed your fish and remove any leftovers the following day.
Tank Mates
1 interesting tank mate ideas for the Bamboo Shrimp could include:
Sexual Dimorphism
The way to differentiate males from females besides the fact that males are generally larger is their legs.
While females have all three pairs close to the same size, males forelegs are much larger than the other two pairs and appear to be adorned with small spikes.