Bamboo Shrimp Care Information & Tank Set Up for Inexperienced persons
Bamboo shrimp (Atyopsis moluccensis) are pleasant little odd-balls you completely should add to you’re tank, in case you have the talent degree.
See, these critters will be very demanding.
On this information, I’ll clarify their care necessities and the potential pitfalls. However, no worries, if bamboo shrimp aren’t best for you, I’ll share with you some shrimp which’ll deliver you simply as a lot pleasure and are extra forgiving.
Fast Stats
- Care Stage: tough
- Min. Tank Measurement: 20 gallon (76 liter)
- pH: 7.0-8.0
- Temperature: 68°-77°F (20°-25°C)
- Food plan: detritivore/filter feeder
- Temperament: peaceable
- Lifespan: 1-2 years
- Measurement: 3 inches (7.5 centimeters)
- Household: Atyidae
- What number of will be stored collectively: group of 5 or extra
- Scientific Identify: Atyopsis moluccensis
- Widespread Identify: bamboo shrimp, wooden shrimp, fan shrimp, flower shrimp
Bamboo Shrimp Species Profile
At a look, bamboo shrimp appear similar to different giant freshwater shrimp species. However, look a bit of deeper, and also you’ll see that they’re fairly distinctive among the many species which might be accessible within the passion.
They’re pretty giant for a freshwater shrimp, with some adults reaching as a lot as 3 inches in size.
They’ve a light-weight beige, nearly white stripe on the highest of their our bodies that runs from nostril to tail.
The edges of their our bodies have a sample of beige and white stripes that look similar to wooden grain, therefore one in all their many widespread names “wooden shrimp.”
So, at first look, these shrimp simply seem like kinda huge decorative shrimp which have a cool sample on their sides. However then, they begin to feed!
Bamboo shrimp have developed to be filter feeders. Most freshwater shrimp have tiny claws on their entrance legs that they use to scrape up meals and place it of their mouths, however not these guys.
A bamboo shrimp’s first 4 legs finish in specialised feeding appendages, manufactured from hairs that they open like spherical followers.
They maintain these followers open in areas of excessive water stream, and as tiny bits of meals float by way of the followers, they get caught to the hairs.
Then the shrimp can then scrape it into their mouths.
I have to say, the followers are actually cool wanting and sort of hypnotic.
The shrimp face right into a present and open up their followers, like a bit of cluster of flowers, and each few seconds, they gracefully fold one to feed off it after which open it once more.
I discover them very peaceable to look at.
Within the Wild
These shrimp are native to quick working waterways throughout Southeast Asia: Thailand, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia.
They have an inclination to congregate in areas of excessive stream and water turbulence. The present in these areas kicks up detritus into the water column, the place the shrimp can then filter it out.
Bamboo shrimp will feed on floating bits of algae, fish poop, bits of plant materials, tiny crustaceans, mainly, any little natural particle that floats by.
Within the Aquarium
Very similar to they do within the wild, bamboo shrimp will often congregate in areas with the strongest water stream. As soon as they discover a spot they like, they’ll open their followers and begin to feed.
These little guys are very peaceable. They’re utterly non-aggressive and suitable with small group fish.
Bamboo shrimp will be tough to maintain within the aquarium. I don’t advocate this species for learners.
It’s important to strike a fragile steadiness between ensuring there may be sufficient meals accessible within the water column, but additionally ensuring to not overfeed.
If there’s not sufficient meals floating within the water, the shrimp will attempt to get meals from the substrate, however that is actually inefficient for them. So, they’ll ultimately starve to dying.
However, if there’s an excessive amount of meals floating across the tank, it’s going to begin to break down and foul your water.
And this species is especially delicate to water high quality. Sudden ammonia spikes can simply kill them.
It takes some finesse and dedication to maintain this species.
I believe they’re actually rewarding and definitely worth the effort, however it’s necessary to know what you’re getting your self into.
Bamboo shrimp should be housed in a nicely established aquarium. In case you’ve solely lately arrange your tank, wait at the least a number of months earlier than you add these shrimp. They want mulm and different natural materials to feed on. They’ll starve in new setups which might be too clear.
Find out how to Set Up a Bamboo Shrimp Tank
Tank Measurement
It’s greatest to maintain this species in at the least a 20 gallon (76 liter), however larger is at all times higher.
Filtration
It’s important to strike a considerably delicate steadiness on the subject of conserving bamboo shrimp.
On the one hand, they’re pretty delicate on the subject of water parameters, so that they want a filter that may stop ammonia spikes and preserve the tank balanced.
Alternatively, although, you want a filter that gained’t take away all of the detritus within the water.
I’d advocate utilizing a sponge filter with this species. Bamboo shrimp like to take a seat on sponge filters and benefit from the stream they create. They’ll additionally scrape detritus and gunk off the floor of the sponge.
To see extra detailed details about sponge filters, try our in-depth article, here.
Powerheads
I extremely advocate including on a powerhead, or two, relying on the scale of your tank.
Powerheads are a good way so as to add on further waterflow. They’ll assist preserve detritus suspended within the water so the bamboo shrimp can eat it.
For our in-depth article evaluating powerheads, please, click on here.
Water Parameters
- Temperature: 68°-77°F (20°-25°C)
- Ammonia/Nitrite: 0
- Nitrate: <20 ppm
- pH: 7.0-8.0
- GH: 4-18 dGH
- KH: 3-8 dKH
Heater
This species doesn’t require a heater. They’ll thrive in a heated tank or an unheated one.
You’ve gotta love a species with this sort of flexibility.
Substrate
Bamboo shrimp don’t actually have any specific wants on the subject of substrate.
Gravel, sand, clay substrate, any of those will work.
I might simply warning that some aquarium soils can leach ammonia and/or cut back the pH of the water, particularly when the tank is first arrange.
Ensure that your parameters are secure and inside the fitting vary earlier than you add bamboo shrimp to the tank.
Lighting
This species doesn’t actually have wants on the subject of lighting. Simply use no matter lights you need to your stay vegetation, and even simply your viewing pleasure.
The shrimpy individuals actually gained’t care.
Vegetation and Decor
Bamboo shrimp actually respect numerous hardscape elements in a tank. Rocks and driftwood give the shrimp a number of choices for feeding perches.
They’ll additionally stroll alongside the hardscape and scrape up algae and biofilm rising on the surfaces.
These guys additionally want a lot of hiding areas to select from. All shrimp molt their exoskeletons as they develop. Once they accomplish that, their new exoskeleton could be very delicate for a couple of days, making them way more weak to predation.
So, they often disguise themselves away till their new shell hardens up. They’ll tuck themselves into a bit of nook for a couple of days after which emerge as soon as they really feel protected once more.
This species does profit from having stay vegetation within the tank. Little bits of plant materials within the water are like a tasty salad for bamboo shrimp.
Plus, stay vegetation are an amazing habitat for little crustaceans and different tiny critters that these shrimp can feed on.
Tank Lid
I extremely advocate utilizing a decent becoming lid if you happen to plan on conserving bamboo shrimp.
They’ve been recognized to climb out of tanks, particularly in the event that they aren’t getting sufficient meals.
Freshwater shrimp can survive for a brief time period out of the water, however will quickly die as soon as their oxygen turns into depleted.
Bamboo Shrimp Food plan
This species is really omnivorous. They’ll eat absolutely anything so long as it’s floor up nice sufficient.
Powdered meals are greatest:
- Spirulina powder – wealthy in protein and nutritional vitamins
- Floor flake meals – the identical meals you’d feed your fish. You’ll be able to grind it up with a mortar and pestle, and even simply along with your fingers.
- Fry meals – these powdered meals are one other nice supply of protein. There are additionally specialised formulation meant for child shrimp which might be very nutritious.
Powdered meals will be blended with a bit of little bit of water after which squirted into the water near the shrimp with a pipette or dropper.
In case you see your bamboo shrimp raking the underside of the aquarium, they don’t seem to be getting sufficient to eat from the water column. Take into account including some meals near the shrimp, to allow them to simply discover it, and/or some extra water stream to maintain detritus suspended within the water.
Bamboo Shrimp Breeding
Comfortable and wholesome bamboo shrimp will breed in an aquarium atmosphere.
The issue is making an attempt to boost the infants.
Some freshwater shrimp hatch out of their eggs as an ideal reproduction of their dad and mom.
However bamboo shrimp, like Amano shrimp, are totally different. When their eggs hatch, free swimming larvae emerge. Within the wild, these larvae could be swept away with the present into brackish water on the mouth of the river.
The larvae can’t survive with out the excessive salt content material of the brackish water.
As they mature, and become shrimplets, they are going to migrate up the river till they get again to freshwater.
These situations are subsequent to unimaginable to recreate in an aquarium atmosphere.
Because of this all the bamboo shrimp that you just see in shops are wild caught. Breeding them simply isn’t sensible.
Bamboo Shrimp Tank Mates
These little guys are just about defenseless. Any tank mates should be extraordinarily peaceable.
Cherry shrimp could be an amazing alternative. Each species will thrive in related situations and cherries will assist eat up meals that the bamboo shrimp miss.
Small, peaceable education fish, like chili rasboras or guppies, are good selections, however you’ll want so as to add a heater to the tank.
Snails are one other good match, like nerite or thriller snails. Snails will assist clear up any meals the shrimp miss.
Make certain to keep away from something that might be thought of aggressive or semi-aggressive, like tiger barbs or most cichlids.
And positively, don’t put the bamboo shrimp in with a fish large enough to simply swallow them.
Even “peaceable” fish which might be large enough gained’t hesitate to gulp down any shrimp they arrive throughout.
Are Bamboo Shrimp Proper for You?
This superior oddball is a very cool species to maintain in your tank. They are often kinda demanding, which is why I price them as being tough to maintain.
They want a really secure tank that’s mature sufficient to have a lot of organics within the water column for them to feed on.
As an aquarist, you’ve acquired to strike a steadiness between conserving the shrimp fed, however not overfed, every day.
This degree of care isn’t for everybody. I don’t need to discourage anybody, however I additionally need to make certain individuals know that that is type of a excessive upkeep species.
In case you’re in search of actually easy shrimp so as to add to your tank, I might advocate cherry shrimp. They’ll survive absolutely anything.
Severely, you possibly can virtually elevate them in a rest room.
I hope you discover this text useful.
I want you and your fish the easiest!
