Australian glass shrimp (Paratya australiensis) care guide

Group
Shrimp
Other names
Glass shrimp, Freshwater glass shrimp
Family
Atyidae
Origin
South-eastern Australia: central Queensland to south-eastern South Australia, including New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
4 cm
Temperature
14–26°C
pH
6.5–8
Hardness
5–12 dGH, 3–8 dKH
Minimum tank
30 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
peaceful
Lifespan
About 2 years

Care

The Australian glass shrimp is a small, transparent atyid shrimp with faint mottling, usually about 3 cm long and at most about 4 cm. Like other atyids it has tufts of fine bristles on the tips of its front claws, which it uses as brushes to collect food. It is common across south-eastern Australia, where it is also used as live food and bait. Habitat and set-up: it lives in slow or still fresh water (lakes, ponds, creeks and lowland streams, and the less salty parts of estuaries), mostly among plants along the edges. A planted tank of 30 litres or more with gentle flow suits a group. As a temperate species it does well in an unheated room-temperature tank and does not need high temperatures (the range given here is general guidance). Behaviour and role: peaceful and active, it spends its time brushing algae and fine organic particles from surfaces, making it a useful clean-up shrimp for planted and coldwater tanks. Copper: copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most invertebrates. Never dose copper in a tank holding this animal, and check fertiliser and medicine labels before use. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paratyaaustraliensis). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Mainly algae and fine organic particles, which it sweeps from plants, stones and the substrate with its bristled claws. Supplement with crushed flake, shrimp pellets, powdered foods and blanched vegetables. A mature tank with plenty of biofilm is the best start.

Breeding

Females carry eggs under the tail; in the wild this happens in late winter (August–September in Australia) and the eggs hatch in late spring and early summer. The young hatch as free-swimming planktonic larvae, so this is not a direct-developing shrimp. Raising the larvae needs a separate tank, very fine foods (green water, infusoria) and patience; low flow is important, as in the wild calm summer flows stop larvae being washed out to sea.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful with small, gentle fish (small rainbowfish, gobies, white cloud minnows) and other shrimp. Fish large enough to swallow it will eat it. Plant-safe and harmless to snails.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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