(Please note that the fish shown in the photo is only a representative of what an adult specimen would look like. The color may vary based on the age and sex of the fish you receive.)
Scientific Name: Atyopsis moluccensis
Common Name: Bamboo Shrimp, Fan Shrimp, Flower Shrimp, Wood Shrimp
Adult Size: 2 - 3 inches
Life Expectancy: 1 - 2 years
Habitat: Southeast Asia
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Ideal Tank Conditions:
- Temperature Range: 68 - 77°F
- pH Range: 6.5 - 7.5
- Water Hardness: 3 - 10
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet & Nutrition: These shrimp are filter feeders that can stand in the current almost motionless for hours on end, waiting for tiny particles to stick to their fans. A fascinating view, but it also means that a few special measures need to be taken if you don’t want your bamboo shrimp to go hungry.
You can target feed these shrimp by releasing (powdered) food just upstream so it flows right into their fans. They are omnivorous and will appreciate anything they can catch: baby shrimp food, algae powder, crushed fish flakes and baby brine shrimp.
Breeding & Spawning: Although breeding bamboo shrimp is possible, it’s a real challenge. They do not hatch as miniature adults but pass through a larval stage during which they require brackish water to survive. This means the larvae should quickly be transferred to brackish water (sources report 33 or 34 grams of salt per liter) after hatching and then stay there until they turn into actual shrimp, after which they need to be returned to fresh water.
Gender: Males have enlarged front legs that appear to be adorned with small spikes, while females have normal legs.