Bamboo Shrimp

Atyopsis moluccensis

Note: Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical
to the image provided

Care

The filter feeding Bamboo Shrimp make an unusual addition
to mature peaceful community aquariums with a high flow rate. Instead of claws,
the first set of legs have evolved special fan-like attachments (or chelae)
which the shrimp use to filter microscopic particles of food from the flowing
water. Good filtration, clean and stable water conditions, along with decent
water circulation is obviously a must for this species. The current within the
aquarium can be further enhanced by the use of small powerheads (be sure that
the model you use comes with a protective cage or filter-sponge underneath to
prevent the shrimp from being drawn into the motor). Flat stones and bogwood
can be piled up in the path of the flow, where the shrimp will enjoy sitting
with their fans outstretched, collecting fine food particles. Bamboo Shrimps
are fairly sociable and should be kept in groups. On occasion, they may become
a little territorial with each other - more noticeable in smaller tanks, but
they will not cause any damage to one another. The arguments are often over who
gets to sit in the best area of flow! These shrimp can be kept safely with
plants, although due to the water movement, hardier species should be chosen.
Tankmates should be small and peaceful, and this can include smaller shrimp
species such as members of the Caridina and Neocaridina genera. Avoid
pufferfish, large barbs, large aggressive botiid loaches, most cichlids etc.
Quite a variety of natural colours of this species are seen in the shops
(beige, brown, even pinkish or dark red), and all sport a magnificent light stripe
along the top of the back. They can also change colour quite quickly and
dramatically to match their surroundings, a natural camouflage mechanism.
Smaller specimens will moult fairly often, until they attain their adult size.
Moulting usually takes place overnight, and the shrimp may hide for a few days
afterwards whilst the new casing hardens, as naturally this is when they are at
their most vulnerable to predators. Care must be taken when carrying out
partial water changes, as Bamboo Shrimp, like all shrimp species, are sensitive
to fluctuating water temperatures. Try to ensure that the new (dechlorinated)
water closely matches the temperature of the tank water. Some fish medications
are harmful to shrimp and other invertebrates. If treatments do have to be used
in an aquarium containing shrimp, ensure that it does not contain copper. These
shrimp may initially be perceived as being of a slow and clumsy nature,
however, they are actually very agile and are excellent climbers/escape
artists. For these reasons, make sure your shrimp tank has tight fitting
coverslides. May also be seen on sale as Fan Shrimp or Singapore Wood Shrimp.

Feeding

These shrimp filter micro-organisms from the water, along
with tiny particles of fish food. The diet should be supplemented with tiny
frozen foods such as cyclops and baby brineshrimp, along with regular feedings
of zooplankton or phytoplankton and ground-up flake foods.

Breeding

Very challenging. Although it is not uncommon to see eggs
being carried by the females, raising the newly-hatched miniscule translucent
larvae presents quite a problem as they require brackish water to change into
miniature shrimp (known as post-larvae). The adults will not tolerate salt in
the aquarium, which makes transferral and acclimatisation of the larvae into
brackish conditions very difficult and risky. In nature, the larvae would be
washed into saltier waters where they would develop whilst drifting in a
planktonic state, and return to freshwater after several moults and taking on a
miniature shrimp appearance. The miniscule size of the larvae means that an
appropriately sized sponge medium must be used on the sponge filter in the
brackish growing-on tank so that the larvae do not get dragged into the sponge
filter. The larvae will not tolerate nitrate, so feeding can also present
problems. Small amounts of green marine water are suggested as a first food.nh+