You can clean up a lot better with freshwater shrimp, but some species are too small to keep with some fish. The bamboo shrimp might be the right species for you if you want a slightly bigger and tougher freshwater shrimp.
Bamboo shrimp are smaller than dwarf shrimp, but they are different in more ways than just size. Dwarf shrimp are white, while bamboo shrimp are reddish brown. They also have fan-like appendages they use to filter food from the water. This bamboo shrimp care guide has everything you need to know to take good care of these pretty living things from fresh water.
The name bamboo shrimp applies to two species of freshwater shrimp native to Southeast Asia. The genus Atyopsis includes the bamboo shrimp (Atyopsis moluccensis) and the dwarf bamboo shrimp (Atyopsis spinipes). Shrimp in this genus are also sometimes called wood shrimp, fan shrimp, flower shrimp, or Asian filter-feeding shrimp.
Bamboo shrimp and dwarf bamboo shrimp look very similar. They both range in size, growing up to three inches in length. They’re reddish-brown with a horizontal striped pattern that resembles woodgrain. What makes these two species different is that Atyopsis spinipes has 2–6 teeth on the underside of its rostrum, while Atyopsis moluccensis has 7–16 teeth.
Like many other freshwater shrimp, bamboo shrimp are native to tropical areas. This is something that should be kept in mind when setting up their aquarium. Bamboo shrimp do best in established planted tanks that provide plenty of places to hide. Also, it doesn’t hurt if you can stir up some trash every once in a while for the shrimp to eat.
Remember that these shrimp don’t clean algae or biofilm off of tank surfaces; instead, they filter food from the water, so you’ll need to make sure there is enough water flow for the food to spread naturally throughout the tank. Occasionally stirring the substrate will loosen detritus, though supplemental feeding is still wise.
As a larger species of freshwater shrimp, bamboo shrimp should be kept in tanks 20 gallons or larger. It’s the combination of water volume and water movement that will enable your shrimp to feed properly.
Bamboo shrimp are sensitive to changes in water parameters and they require high water quality. This can be hard, though, because their main food source is the trash that builds up in the tank and moves around. If you perform water changes too often—especially if you vacuum the substrate—your shrimp could starve.
Making sure your tank is fully cycled and established before adding your shrimp is the best way to avoid this problem. Make sure your plants and other tank inhabitants have settled in and the water parameters have stabilized. To keep ammonia and nitrite levels in check, you should only need to do small water changes as long as your tank isn’t overcrowded and you don’t feed your fish too much.
It depends on the type of filter you have in your tank if you need to add one or two powerheads to help the water flow. Change how these additions are set up and where they are aimed, paying attention to where your bamboo shrimp like to gather to eat. Once you know where they like to eat, you can move the decorations to keep the doors open and use the powerheads to direct the water flow through that area.
Like other freshwater shrimp, bamboo shrimp tend to prefer planted tanks, but the tank shouldn’t be too cluttered. There needs to be enough open space so that your shrimp can filter food from the water. Over-planted tanks may stifle the water flow necessary to keep food sources circulating.
Bamboo shrimp are similar to other freshwater shrimp in that they are scavengers. They’ll eat detritus including decaying plant matter, uneaten fish food, and even algae in the tank. They don’t sift through the substrate or scrape algae and biofilm off of tank walls to eat like many other species do. Instead, they use their special fan-like appendages to filter food from the water column itself.
Water movement is essential in a bamboo shrimp tank. Food sources will settle down if the water doesn’t move, making it harder for your shrimp to find them. When bamboo shrimp scrape along the substrate for food, it means they’re not getting enough from the water. Supplemental feeding is often required to keep bamboo shrimp healthy.
Small amounts of very fine food should be given to bamboo shrimp as often as they need to be fed. Spirulina powder, baby brine shrimp, and even crushed flakes work well. Put out small amounts of food near the shrimp or near the filter outlet to make sure the shrimp can get it out of the water.
Bamboo shrimp also known as wood shrimp or flower shrimp are a fascinating freshwater species that have recently grown in popularity for home aquariums. Their delicate fans and constant scavenging behaviors are a joy to watch.
But a common question from new owners is – how big do bamboo shrimp get when fully grown? Understanding their maximum size helps determine proper tank size and stocking numbers.
In this article, we’ll cover everything about bamboo shrimp size from their tiny juvenile stage to large adults. Read on to learn how big these shrimp really get!
Bamboo Shrimp Size at Various Life Stages
Like all crustaceans, bamboo shrimp go through various molting cycles and reach different sizes as they mature. Here is an overview of their size at each stage:
-
Larvae – After hatching, the larvae are microscopic at 008 inches (2 mm) They drift as plankton and require brackish water for development.
-
Juveniles – Young bamboo shrimp are tiny after being released from the larval stage. They are 0.2 to 0.4 inches (5 to 10 mm) and hide frequently.
-
Subadults – At 3 to 5 months old they reach 1 to 1.5 inches (25 to 38 mm) and start exhibiting adult behaviors. Their fans develop.
-
Adults – Fully grown adults reach 2 to 3 inches (50 to 76 mm) in size at around 6 months old. Their fans are full size for filter feeding.
So the maximum size of most adult bamboo shrimp is about 3 inches tip to tail. Anything over 2.5 inches is considered a large, mature shrimp.
Now let’s look at factors that affect their growth rate and size.
What Impacts the Maximum Size of Bamboo Shrimp?
Several elements influence the potential full size a bamboo shrimp can reach:
-
Tank Size – Bamboo shrimp need spacious tanks to find enough food. In small tanks, they may not be able to reach their full size potential due to lack of nutrition.
-
Water Quality – Poor water quality stresses shrimp and inhibits healthy molts. Maintaining pristine water helps bamboo shrimp reach maximum size.
-
Diet – Malnutrition leads to poor growth in bamboo shrimp. A varied diet with algae, biofilm, and supplements ensures proper nutrition for growth.
-
Genetics – Bamboo shrimp from quality breeders tend to grow larger on average. High-grade wild or captive-bred shrimp have better genetics.
-
Temperature – Warmer water from 74°F to 78°F (23°C to 25°C) speeds up bamboo shrimp’s metabolism and molting rate, supporting faster growth.
So by optimizing these factors, you can expect your bamboo shrimp to reach about 3 inches in length as a full grown adult. Next let’s compare bamboo shrimp to other popular aquarium shrimp.
How Bamboo Shrimp Size Compares to Other Shrimp
Bamboo shrimp are one of the largest freshwater shrimp kept in home aquariums. Here’s how they stack up to other common species:
-
Ghost shrimp – Usually 1 to 1.5 inches when fully grown, so bamboo shrimp are almost twice the size.
-
Red cherry shrimp – Only reach about 1.2 inches maximum, making bamboo shrimp much larger.
-
Amano shrimp – Amanos max out around 2 inches, so bamboo shrimp are still larger by an inch.
-
Vampire shrimp – One of the only shrimp that grows as big as bamboo shrimp at 3 inches.
So bamboo shrimp are considerably larger than small shrimp like cherry and ghost shrimp. They can be similar in size to vampire shrimp but often edge them out by a half inch or more.
Their large size makes bamboo shrimp stand out in any aquarium. They need extra space that smaller shrimp may not require.
Proper Tank Size for Adult Bamboo Shrimp
Since bamboo shrimp grow fairly large, they need a spacious tank to thrive as adults. Here are the recommended minimum tank sizes:
- 1 Bamboo Shrimp – 20 gallons
- 2 Bamboo Shrimp – 30 gallons
- 5 Bamboo Shrimp – 55 gallons
These are based on each shrimp needing at least 10 gallons of space. This allows them to find enough microscopic food particles without competing for resources.
Bamboo shrimp are also very active swimmers requiring room to move around. A long tank is better than a tall one. The extra horizontal space allows more surface area for biofilm development and water flow.
While you might be able to keep an adult bamboo shrimp in a 10 gallon tank alone, any less than 20 gallons risks stunting their growth and health due to lack of food.
Signs Your Bamboo Shrimp Are Stunted
If bamboo shrimp are unable to reach their full adult size, they may become stunted. Here are signs of a stunted bamboo shrimp:
- Remaining under 2 inches after 6 months
- Very long time between molts
- Failure to shed exoskeleton properly
- Lack of activity and lethargy
- Loss of fan size and function
- Pale or opaque muscle tissue
Stunted growth usually indicates poor living conditions that need to be corrected. Low water quality, lack of food, and cramped space are common causes of bamboo shrimp stunting.
Caring for Bamboo Shrimp as They Grow
To raise bamboo shrimp to their maximum size, good care is essential throughout their lifespan:
-
Large Tank – Start juveniles in at least a 20 gallon tank so it’s adequate as they grow.
-
Stable Water – Maintain excellent water quality and parameters to support healthy molting.
-
Currents – Provide moderate water movement for juveniles to find microfoods.
-
Hiding Spots – Give babies and juveniles plenty of thick plants and decor to feel secure.
-
Varied Diet – Feed adults a mixture of sinking pellets, blanched veggies, algae wafers and natural biofilms.
With a spacious tank, clean water, currents and a balanced diet, your bamboo shrimp should have no problem reaching their full adult size of around 3 inches.
Average Bamboo Shrimp Lifespan
Bamboo shrimp that reach full size and remain healthy under proper care generally live between 1 to 2 years on average.
With optimized tank conditions, some bamboo shrimp have been reported to live closer to 3 years. But anything beyond 2 years is considered exceptional longevity.
Is Bigger Always Better?
For bamboo shrimp, larger size is generally a good sign they are thriving. But don’t worry too much if your bamboo shrimp max out at 2.5 inches instead of 3 inches.
As long as they are active, growing consistently between molts, and maintaining their fans, a somewhat smaller adult size is perfectly fine. Some variance in maximum size is to be expected.
The most important indicators of health are consistent growth, successful molting cycles, and normal behaviors like filter feeding. Use these as your benchmarks rather than an arbitrary size number.
Bamboo Shrimp Growth Requires Patience
It takes time and work to raise bamboo shrimp to their maximum potential size. Juveniles under an inch require even closer care and monitoring.
Don’t get discouraged if your bamboo shrimp seem slow to grow at first. With diligent tank maintenance, high-quality food, and proper space as they mature, you will be rewarded with vibrant full grown bamboo shrimp around 3 inches long.
So be patient and let your bamboo shrimp grow at their own pace. Enjoy watching them develop and transform through each fascinating molt until they finally achieve adult size and longevity.
Item added to your cart
- Species Name: Atyopsis moluccensis, Atyopsis spinipes
- Other names for this species are bamboo shrimp, dwarf bamboo shrimp, fan shrimp, and flower shrimp.
- Size: Up to 3 inches
- Lifespan: Up to 2 years
- Native Distribution: Southeast Asia
You can clean up a lot better with freshwater shrimp, but some species are too small to keep with some fish. The bamboo shrimp might be the right species for you if you want a slightly bigger and tougher freshwater shrimp.
Bamboo shrimp are smaller than dwarf shrimp, but they are different in more ways than just size. Dwarf shrimp are white, while bamboo shrimp are reddish brown. They also have fan-like appendages they use to filter food from the water. This bamboo shrimp care guide has everything you need to know to take good care of these pretty living things from fresh water.
The name bamboo shrimp applies to two species of freshwater shrimp native to Southeast Asia. The genus Atyopsis includes the bamboo shrimp (Atyopsis moluccensis) and the dwarf bamboo shrimp (Atyopsis spinipes). Shrimp in this genus are also sometimes called wood shrimp, fan shrimp, flower shrimp, or Asian filter-feeding shrimp.
Bamboo shrimp and dwarf bamboo shrimp look very similar. They both range in size, growing up to three inches in length. They’re reddish-brown with a horizontal striped pattern that resembles woodgrain. What makes these two species different is that Atyopsis spinipes has 2–6 teeth on the underside of its rostrum, while Atyopsis moluccensis has 7–16 teeth.
Like many other freshwater shrimp, bamboo shrimp are native to tropical areas. This is something that should be kept in mind when setting up their aquarium. Bamboo shrimp do best in established planted tanks that provide plenty of places to hide. Also, it doesn’t hurt if you can stir up some trash every once in a while for the shrimp to eat.
Remember that these shrimp don’t clean algae or biofilm off of tank surfaces; instead, they filter food from the water, so you’ll need to make sure there is enough water flow for the food to spread naturally throughout the tank. Occasionally stirring the substrate will loosen detritus, though supplemental feeding is still wise.
As a larger species of freshwater shrimp, bamboo shrimp should be kept in tanks 20 gallons or larger. It’s the combination of water volume and water movement that will enable your shrimp to feed properly.
Bamboo shrimp are sensitive to changes in water parameters and they require high water quality. This can be hard, though, because their main food source is the trash that builds up in the tank and moves around. If you perform water changes too often—especially if you vacuum the substrate—your shrimp could starve.
Making sure your tank is fully cycled and established before adding your shrimp is the best way to avoid this problem. Make sure your plants and other tank inhabitants have settled in and the water parameters have stabilized. To keep ammonia and nitrite levels in check, you should only need to do small water changes as long as your tank isn’t overcrowded and you don’t feed your fish too much.
The ideal water parameters for bamboo shrimp are:
- Water Temperature: 71-82
- pH Level: 6.5-7.5
- General Hardness: 6-10 dGH
- Carbonate Hardness: 3-6 dKH
It depends on the type of filter you have in your tank if you need to add one or two powerheads to help the water flow. Change how these additions are set up and where they are aimed, paying attention to where your bamboo shrimp like to gather to eat. Once you know where they like to eat, you can move the decorations to keep the doors open and use the powerheads to direct the water flow through that area.
Like other freshwater shrimp, bamboo shrimp tend to prefer planted tanks, but the tank shouldn’t be too cluttered. There needs to be enough open space so that your shrimp can filter food from the water. Over-planted tanks may stifle the water flow necessary to keep food sources circulating.
Bamboo shrimp are similar to other freshwater shrimp in that they are scavengers. They’ll eat detritus including decaying plant matter, uneaten fish food, and even algae in the tank. They don’t sift through the substrate or scrape algae and biofilm off of tank walls to eat like many other species do. Instead, they use their special fan-like appendages to filter food from the water column itself.
Water movement is essential in a bamboo shrimp tank. Food sources will settle down if the water doesn’t move, making it harder for your shrimp to find them. When bamboo shrimp scrape along the substrate for food, it means they’re not getting enough from the water. Supplemental feeding is often required to keep bamboo shrimp healthy.
Small amounts of very fine food should be given to bamboo shrimp as often as they need to be fed. Spirulina powder, baby brine shrimp, and even crushed flakes work well. Put out small amounts of food near the shrimp or near the filter outlet to make sure the shrimp can get it out of the water.
The Ultimate Bamboo Shrimp Care Guide For Beginners!
What do bamboo shrimp look like?
Their color will depend on the dominant color of the shrimp, but they’re usually a bit lighter. The feature that stands out the most on the Bamboo Shrimp is their little fan-like hands (hence the name “Fan Shrimp”). These serve as mini nets that can be used to easily grab small edible particles and organisms from the water.
How big do bamboo shrimp get?
The average Bamboo Shrimp size is around 3 inches when fully grown. These shrimp are actually rather large compared to a lot of the other types of species you see in freshwater aquariums. You can impact their size by maintaining good water quality and feeding them a healthy and balanced diet.
How big should a bamboo shrimp tank be?
The ideal tank size for Bamboo Shrimp is around 20 gallons (for each individual shrimp). While some owners regularly keep them in smaller tanks than this, we don’t recommend it. The primary reason we recommend a little extra tank size is that this species is a little larger than most, and needs some space in order to find food.
How much do bamboo shrimp cost?
Bamboo Shrimp are easy to care and are one of the most popular shrimp species around. You should expect to pay anywhere from $10-$20 per shrimp. They are not predatory and get along well with other aquarium shrimp and peaceful medium sized fish.