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
- Can live alone
- Lifespan
- 2–3 years
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
Bamboo Shrimp feeding and care
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 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 setup
A forgiving setup with room for a small community.
TankAt least 20 US gal (76 L)
The smallest tank our sources give for Bamboo Shrimp. We list only tanks that hold this volume (allowing 10%, so a standard size counts).
Aqueon Standard Glass Aquarium 20 Long US
Aqueon Standard Glass Aquarium 29 Gallon US
Aqueon Standard Glass Aquarium 40 Breeder US
Eheim clearTank 73 Spain
Why we chose these (Best 20-Gallon Fish Tank: 20 Long or 29?). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Starter kitA kit with the tank, filter and light in one box
We list only kits whose tank fits Bamboo Shrimp, up to twice its minimum volume. A kit whose heater has a fixed setting shows only when that setting is inside Bamboo Shrimp's temperature range.
Tetra Complete LED Aquarium Kit 20 Gallon US
Check the heater's setting
Tetra Complete LED Aquarium Kit 29 Gallon US
Check the heater's setting
Tetra Starter Line LED Aquarium 80 L Spain
Heater preset to 25 °C
Why we chose these (Best Aquarium Starter Kit: What to Look For). Nobody here has used or tested them.
FilterHang-on-back or large sponge filter
Easy to maintain and strong enough for a community without blasting the fish.
Seachem Tidal 55 Power Filter US
Marineland Penguin PRO 175 Power Filter US
Eheim LiBERTY 130 Hang-on Filter Spain
Seachem Tidal 35 Power Filter Spain
Why we chose these (Best Filter for a 20 to 29-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
HeaterKeep it at 71–82 °F (22–28 °C)
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.
Aqueon Pro Adjustable Heater 100 W US
Aqueon Submersible Glass Heater 100 W US
Eheim Thermocontrol e 100 Heater Spain
Tetra HT 100 Electronic Heater Spain
Why we chose these (Best Heater for a 20 to 29-Gallon Tank). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Water conditionerDechlorinator 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
Sold at Kiwoko · Sold at Tiendanimal · Sold at zooplus.es · Maker's details
Why we chose these (Best Water Conditioner for Betta Fish). Nobody here has used or tested them.
Test kitLiquid 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
See it at The Shrimp Farm (a retailer; affiliate link) · Sold at Bulk Reef Supply · Maker's details
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.
SubstrateFine with gravel or sand; it perches on rocks, wood and plants to filter-feed.
We are still choosing products for this.
Hiding places and decorPlenty of hiding places, live plants, rock or wood formations near the flow, and leaf litter.
We are still choosing products for this.
PlantsSafe with live plants
Browse all aquarium plants.
Cycle the tank before adding animals. See our guide on how to cycle a fish tank.
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.
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.
Bamboo Shrimp facts and sources
- Type
- Shrimp
- Native to
- Southeast Asia
- Adult size
- 3 in (7.5 cm)
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Live plants
- Yes - Loves Plants
- Breeds in freshwater
- No
Sources
- The Shrimp Farm: Care and water figures
- Fishkeeping World: Supporting figures
Spotted something wrong? Report a parameter correction.