Bamboo Shrimp (Atyopsis moluccensis)

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

Ecology

This shrimp hails from Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand and likes to live in fast-flowing freshwater streams! [1,2] It is a filter feeder, and can be found sitting on top of rocks in the water with its feathery claspers held out to filter out passing particles to snack on. It also ranges in color from olive to dark brown to camouflage to its environment. The bamboo shrimp is also reported to need saltwater in order to reproduce, and rarely reproduces in captivity. [3]

Fishery

As this shrimp is extremely difficult to breed, the majority of bamboo shrimps found in the aquarium trade are wild caught. Some of the fisheries are reported to be small-scale subsistence* fisheries. [1]

In Aquaria

In the aquarium, this shrimp needs moderate flow and clean water. As it is a filter feeder, the Bamboo shrimp cannot be fed with normal shrimp food (like pellets or wafers), and instead must be fed with powdered foods. [3] It also does best in planted tanks with hardscape (like rocks and wood) for it to cling on to. Despite its large size, this shrimp is very peaceful and can be kept with other shrimp and nano fish. If kept in the right conditions, it can live up to 6 years! [3]

*subsistence: to maintain oneself at the minimum level

Citations

[1] De Grave, S., Klotz, W. & Page, T. 2013. Atyopsis moluccensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: e.T198165A2514356. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T198165A2514356.en. Accessed on 26 August 2022.

[2] Iwata, T., Inoue, M., Nakano, S., Miyasaka, H., Doi, A., & Covich, A. (2003). Shrimp abundance and habitat relationships in tropical rain-forest streams, Sarawak, Borneo. Journal of Tropical Ecology,19(4), 387-395. doi:10.1017/S0266467403003432

[3] Bamboo shrimp – Detailed Guide: Care, Diet and Breeding - Shrimp and Snail Breeder. (n.d.). Aquarium Breeder. Retrieved August 26, 2022, from https://aquariumbreeder.com/bamboo-shrimp-detailed-guide-care-diet-and-breeding/