Bamboo Shrimp - Atyopsis moluccensis : Complete Shrimp Profile & Care Guide
Table of contents
Introduction
Bamboo Shrimp (Atyopsis moluccensis) are a captivating and unique species that is highly sought after by shrimp enthusiasts. These fascinating creatures can add an exciting and unusual touch to any community aquarium. Although peaceful, they prefer the company of their own kind and tend to become territorial when kept in smaller groups. Keeping a small group of these beautiful shrimp can create an engaging and lively display as they interact with each other and their environment.
Creating a harmonious community within your aquarium can be a daunting task, but choosing the right tankmates for your aquatic creatures is crucial for their well-being. When it comes to sharing a tank with your favourite shrimp species, such as Bamboo shrimp, it's essential to keep in mind that their peaceful nature requires companions that are small and non-aggressive.
Choosing compatible tankmates can help create a visually captivating display while maintaining the perfect balance within your aquarium. In this regard, smaller shrimp species like Caridina and Neocaridina are an excellent choice to coexist peacefully with your Bamboo shrimp. On the other hand, it's best to avoid adding pufferfish, large Barbs, large aggressive Botiid Loaches, and most Cichlids to your aquarium, as they tend to be more aggressive and can pose a threat to your beloved shrimp species. By selecting the right companions, you can create a vibrant and diverse aquatic community that will thrive together in harmony.
To maintain the health and well-being of this species, it is crucial to ensure optimal water quality through efficient filtration, consistent monitoring, and maintenance of stable, clean water conditions. Proper water circulation is also essential to ensure that oxygen is evenly distributed throughout the aquarium. These Shrimp boast four pairs of fans instead of claws, which they use to capture and filter micro-particles of food in the water. This unique feeding mechanism is mesmerizing to observe and adds an extra layer of interest to any aquarist's collection.
Not only are they great for their functionality, but they also come in a variety of colours, ranging from shades of brown to red, green, creamy white, and blue. However, what sets Bamboo Shrimp apart from other species is their large creamy yellow-brown, reddish-brown or light to dark brown race stripe down their back. This stripe is particularly pronounced in younger specimens and becomes weaker in older ones but never disappears entirely.
Some Bamboo Shrimp also sport dark side stripes, further enhancing their natural camouflage. It's worth noting that larger Bamboo shrimp tend to be a little darker than smaller ones. These patterns and colours make them incredibly effective at blending into their surroundings, making it easy for even experienced shrimp keepers to lose them in their tanks. Additionally, when Bamboo shrimp moult, they shed their exoskeleton, leaving them vulnerable to predators. During this period, they may hide for a few days until their new casing hardens. This natural process is fascinating to witness and adds to the overall appeal of keeping these harmless giants in your aquarium.
Bamboo Shrimp Photos
Sexual Dimorphism
To distinguish male from female Bamboo Shrimp, one can observe their legs. Males tend to be larger in size, and their forelegs are noticeably larger than the other two pairs. Additionally, these forelegs may have small spikes, providing an even more distinctive feature to identify the male Bamboo Shrimp. In contrast, females typically have all three pairs of legs similar in size, lacking the spikes that are found on the males ' forelegs.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Atyopsis moluccensis |
|---|---|
| Year Described | 1983 |
| Other Names | Wood shrimp, Singapore flower shrimp, Asian filter shrimp, Asian feeder shrimp |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Classification | Malacostraca |
| Order | Decapoda |
| Family | Atyidae |
| Genus | Atyopsis |
| Origins | |
| Max Size | 7.6 cm |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Aquarium Level | Bottom - Middle |
| Difficulty | Beginner - Intermediate |
| Shoaling | No |
| Best kept as | Groups 6+ |
| Diet & Feeding | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | Ovoviviparous |
| Average Lifespan | Up to 2 Years |
Water Parameters
| Water Type | Freshwater |
|---|---|
| pH | 6.5 - 7.5 |
| GH | 5 - 10 |
| KH | 3-10 |
| ℉ | 73 - 84 |
|---|---|
| ℃ | 22 - 28 |
Natural Habitat
Bamboo Shrimps are native to Bali, Sulawesi, Kalimantan, Sumatra, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand in Southeast Asia. In their native environment, Bamboo Shrimp thrive in fast-moving rivers and streams with powerful currents. These intelligent little creatures station themselves in stretches of high-flowing water, clasping to rocks and tree roots to anchor themselves firmly.
Witnessing these remarkable creatures in their natural habitat is a truly unforgettable experience. Creating the perfect environment for Bamboo Shrimp in your home aquarium requires a bit of effort, but the results are well worth it. With their unique behaviours and stunning appearance, Bamboo Shrimp are an excellent addition to any aquatic community.
Breeding
Breeding Bamboo Shrimp in captivity poses a great challenge. Despite the presence of eggs carried by the females, rearing the transparent larvae into fully-developed shrimplets is a difficult feat, as it necessitates the introduction of brackish water. To date, there have been no successful reports of captive breeding of Bamboo shrimp. Thus, all Bamboo shrimp traded in aquariums are sourced from the wild.
Diet & Feeding
Bamboo Shrimps are primarily filter feeders that feed on a variety of algae, bacteria, and other microscopic organisms suspended in the water column. If you observe them scavenging around in the substrate, it may indicate that their dietary requirements are not being met. In such a scenario, it is recommended to supplement their diet with brine shrimp, algae powder, or powdered foods to ensure optimal nutrition.
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