Bamboo Shrimp
Atyopsis moluccensis
Edited by Ivan F. · Reviewed
Beginner verdict
A large, peaceful filter feeder that perches in the current with its fans open, catching floating particles. It needs a mature tank and steady flow, or it will slowly starve. Calm bottom dwellers and small schooling fish make safe companions. Never house it with anything nippy.
Care at a glance
- Min tank size
- 20 US gal
- Temperature
- 71–82 °F
- pH
- 6.5–7.5
- Hardness
- 6–10 dGH
- Swim zone
- Bottom
- Min group
- Single fish
- Lifespan
- 2–3 years
Bamboo Shrimp care mistakes to avoid
- Provide steady flow, because it feeds from what the current brings past it.
- Watch it pick at the substrate with its fans. This often means it is hungry and needs more flow or food.
- Add it only to a mature tank, since new tanks lack enough food particles.
- Keep copper out of the tank, because it is fatal to shrimp.
Bamboo Shrimp tank mates
Paracheirodon innesi
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi
Hemigrammus erythrozonus
Trigonostigma heteromorpha
Tanichthys albonubes
Their temperature ranges barely overlap, so you will have little room for error.
Barbodes semifasciolatus
Large shrimp like Bamboo Shrimp are usually safe from Gold Barb, but may be nipped or harassed.
Xiphophorus hellerii
Large shrimp like Bamboo Shrimp are usually safe from Swordtail, but may be nipped or harassed.
Betta splendens
Large shrimp like Bamboo Shrimp are usually safe from Betta, but may be nipped or harassed.
Carinotetraodon travancoricus
Pea puffers hunt snails and shrimp as natural food, so Bamboo Shrimp is at risk.
Pseudomugil furcatus
One needs much harder water than the other can tolerate.
Common tank-mate questions
How to feed
- Provide fine floating foods such as powdered shrimp food or crushed flakes.
- Add spirulina powder, which it catches on its fans.
- Turn off strong filters briefly when target feeding, so food reaches it.
Bamboo Shrimp FAQ
What size tank do Bamboo Shrimp need?
Our sourced minimum is 20 US gallons (76 liters). A bigger, mature tank is always easier to keep stable.
What can live with Bamboo Shrimp?
Good matches on our list include Neon Tetra, Cardinal Tetra and Ember Tetra. Avoid Endler's Livebearer and Molly.
How long do Bamboo Shrimp live?
Care guides report about 2–3 years. Stable water and a good diet make the biggest difference.
Why is my bamboo shrimp not moving?
It often sits still while filter feeding, and it also hides before and after molting. Check the water, and make sure there is a current for it to feed in.
Where to buy Bamboo Shrimp
We have not found a store that sells Bamboo Shrimp under its scientific name yet. We add stores as we confirm them.
Live animals and plants travel by courier. Check the store's live-arrival guarantee, and only buy once your tank has cycled (see how to cycle a fish tank).
Some US states restrict certain species. Check our US state aquarium rules table and your state's own rules before you buy.
Complete the tank
A forgiving setup with room for a small community.
Tank size for this species
At least 20 US gallons (76 L)
Filter
Hang-on-back or large sponge filter
Easy to maintain and strong enough for a community without blasting the fish.
We are still choosing products for this.
Heater
Adjustable heater, about 5 W per gallon: 100 W at 20 gallons, about 150 W at 29
Enough power to hold a stable temperature in most homes. Size up for a cold room.
We are still choosing products for this.
Water Conditioner
Dechlorinator such as Seachem Prime
Tap water contains chlorine or chloramine that harms fish.
Seachem Prime US
Fritz Complete Water Conditioner US
API Betta Water Conditioner US
sera aquatan Spain
Tetra AquaSafe Spain
Maker's page · Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test Kit
Liquid kit such as API Freshwater Master
Tracks ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH while the tank cycles.
API Freshwater Master Test Kit US
API General & Carbonate Hardness Test Kit US
Maker's page · Sold at The Shrimp Farm · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply
sera aqua-test box (Cl) Spain
JBL PROAQUATEST COMBISET Plus NH4 Spain
Why we chose these (Best Test Kit for a Freshwater Aquarium). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.