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 fan shrimp, are incredible filter feeding freshwater shrimp that are a joy to have in any aquarium. Their large size, unique appearance, and filter feeding behavior make them one of the most interesting shrimp species to keep.
But what exactly do these giant shrimp eat? As filter feeders, bamboo shrimp have a very specialized diet that requires specific care. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the dietary needs of bamboo shrimp and how to make sure your shrimp are well-fed and healthy.
An Overview of Bamboo Shrimp Diet
Bamboo shrimp are filter feeders, which means they feed by filtering tiny food particles from the water column. Unlike other shrimp that scavenge food from surfaces, substrate, or eat algae, bamboo shrimp need their food to be suspended in the water so they can catch it with their fan-like front legs.
In the wild, bamboo shrimp feed on microorganisms like plankton, microalgae, protozoa, rotifers, and other microfauna and flora suspended in the water. They use their fans to catch food particles floating by and then bring the fans to their mouth to eat.
This means that in captivity, bamboo shrimp need very small powdered and floating foods. They cannot eat larger foods like shrimp pellets or algae wafers. Their diet should consist of:
- Powdered shrimp foods
- Micro pellet foods sized for fry/larvae
- Crushed flakes
- Small live or frozen foods like daphnia, brine shrimp, plankton, etc.
- Supplements like spirulina and bee pollen
Food particles should ideally be 100 microns or smaller so they remain suspended in the water column High water flow and turnover is also crucial to keep food circulating for the bamboo shrimp to catch
Foods to Feed Bamboo Shrimp
Here are some of the best foods to feed bamboo shrimp:
Powdered Shrimp Foods
- Bacter AE – powdered food rich in biofilm and microorganisms bamboo shrimp can filter feed on
- Shirakura Shrimp Food – fine powder formulated for filter feeders
- GlasGarten Shrimp Food – ultra fine powder for filter feeders
- Crushed shrimp pellets – can be crushed into powder
Micro Pellet Food
- Hikari First Bites – tiny powder-like particles perfect for baby shrimp
- Golden Pearls – particles sized from 5-50 microns
- Sera Micron – powder-like food made for small fish fry
Other Good Food Options
- Live baby brine shrimp or daphnia
- Crushed high quality flakes
- Spirulina powder
- Chlorella powder
- Powdered bee pollen
Variety is important to provide bamboo shrimp with balanced nutrition. Rotating several powdered foods, micro pellets, supplements, and occasional live foods will give them the best diet possible
Feeding Techniques for Bamboo Shrimp
In addition to providing the right foods utilizing certain feeding techniques can help optimize bamboo shrimp nutrition
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Use high flow/turnover – Strong water movement keeps food particles suspended longer for bamboo shrimp to catch them. Aim for turnover at least 5-10 times per hour.
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Feed at night – Bamboo shrimp are most active at night. Feed them in the evening so less food gets eaten by fish.
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Target feeding – Use a pipette or syringe to target shrimp directly, preventing excess food.
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Pre-mix powder – Mix powder in tank water before adding to prevent clumping.
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Supplement 1-2 times per week – Supplements like spirulina or bee pollen provide nutrition boosts.
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Soak leaves – Soak leaves like almond or oak to release beneficial tannins and microorganisms.
Following these best practices when feeding bamboo shrimp will ensure your shrimp get the right diet they need as filter feeders. Monitor them during feedings to ensure they are actively filtering.
Common Feeding Problems With Bamboo Shrimp
Getting the diet right for bamboo shrimp takes some care and finesse. Here are some common issues that can come up:
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Not eating – Bamboo shrimp may not eat at first when stressed from acclimating. Give them time to settle and feel secure.
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Picking at surfaces – Bamboo shrimp picking at surfaces means food particles are too large or water flow is too low. Crush foods smaller and increase flow.
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Eating fish food – Large flakes or pellets eaten by fish don’t provide nutrition for bamboo shrimp. Feed them separately at night.
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Overfeeding – Excess uneaten powder can foul water. Target feed only as much as shrimp will eat in a few minutes.
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Food settling – Bamboo shrimp need foods to stay afloat. Increase flow and decrease food amounts if powder sinks fast.
Correct any feeding issues as soon as noticed to keep bamboo shrimp healthy. Their specialized filter feeding diet takes some adjustment but pays off in their unique behaviors.
Providing Proper Conditions for Bamboo Shrimp
In addition to diet, bamboo shrimp also need proper tank conditions to thrive. Here are some key habitat parameters:
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Tank Size – Minimum 10 gallons, but larger is better for adequate water flow.
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Water Flow – Moderate to high flow is essential. Aim for 10+ times turnover per hour.
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Filtration – Use gentle filtration like sponges. Avoid intakes that shrimp may get sucked into.
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Temperature – Ideal range is 70-80°F (21-26°C).
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Plants & hardscape – Driftwood, rockwork, and plants provide resting spots in flow.
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Substrate – Fine substrate like sand allows bits of food to be trapped and eaten.
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Tankmates – Peaceful tankmates like small fish, snails, shrimp. Avoid predators.
Optimizing both their diet and environment is key to keeping bamboo shrimp thriving in your aquarium. Observe them during feedings and watch for signs of good health like regular molting, coloring, and activity. With the right care, these amazing filter feeding shrimp can grace your tank for years.
Answering Common Questions on Bamboo Shrimp Diet
Bamboo shrimp have unique dietary requirements that often bring up questions for those new to keeping them. Here are some commonly asked questions about bamboo shrimp diet and nutrition:
Do bamboo shrimp eat fish food flakes and pellets?
No, bamboo shrimp cannot eat normal fish flakes, pellets, wafers, or rods. Their fan-like filter feeding legs are specially adapted to trap microorganisms and tiny food particles from the water. They do not have claws or jaws to grab and eat larger foods. Fish foods and shrimp pellets are much too large for them to eat.
What size food particles can bamboo shrimp filter feed on?
Ideally bamboo shrimp need food particles around 100 microns or smaller. For reference, the diameter of a human hair is around 100 microns. Particles larger than 100 microns tend to settle too quickly rather than remaining suspended for the shrimp to filter feed. Good foods will be ultra fine powders or micro pellets.
How often should you feed bamboo shrimp?
Bamboo shrimp should be fed small amounts of powdered foods 1-2 times per day. Target feed only as much as they can filter in a few minutes, usually no more than 1/8 tsp powder at a time. Uneaten excess can dirty the water. Night time feeding is recommended when their predators are less active.
What supplements help the diet of bamboo shrimp?
Spirulina and bee pollen make excellent supplements 1-2 times per week for bamboo shrimp. Their micronutrients and protein help provide balanced nutrition. Another option is a mineral supplement like Shrimp Baby from Salty Shrimp that contains calcium and trace elements shrimp need.
Can bamboo shrimp eat surface films and algae in the tank?
Bamboo shrimp are adapted to filter feeding rather than eating surfaces. They technically can scrape and pick at algae and biofilms but this is a sign of inadequate water flow or too large food particles in their environment. Address these issues instead of relying on surface feeding.
How often do bamboo shrimp molt and when do they stop eating?
Bamboo shrimp molt much less frequently than neocaridina or caridina, only every 4-8 weeks typically. They will stop eating for 1-2 days before and after a molt. Their exoskeletons are quite large so may take 2-3 days for tankmates to fully eat the remains after molting.
Following the feeding best practices outlined here will help ensure your bamboo shrimp stay well-fed and healthy in your aquarium. Observe them during feedings and watch for signs they are actively filtering food from the water column. With the right diet and conditions, bamboo shrimp can thrive for years under your care.
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- 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.