Bamboo shrimp (Atyopsis moluccensis) care guide

Group

Shrimp

Other names

Wood shrimp, Singapore flower shrimp, Asian fan shrimp, Flower shrimp, Atya moluccensis

Family

Atyidae

Origin

Fast-flowing rivers and streams of South and South-East Asia

Water

freshwater

Maximum size

9 cm

Temperature

20–29°C

pH

6.5–8

Hardness

dKH 3–10

Minimum tank

76 litres

Care level

intermediate

Temperament

peaceful

Care

The bamboo shrimp is a large, peaceful filter-feeding shrimp from fast-flowing Asian rivers and streams. Instead of claws, its front legs carry fans of fine bristles that it holds open in the current to catch passing particles, then wipes into its mouth. Colour changes fast, from tan to dark brown and sometimes bright red, perhaps with mood or for camouflage. It grows to about 9 cm. Names: it was once placed in Atya. Atyopsis moluccensis has 7–16 teeth on the underside of the rostrum, against 2–6 in the related Atyopsis spinipes, which is also sold as bamboo shrimp. Set-up: an established tank of at least 76 litres (20 US gallons) with steady, moderate flow, plenty of hiding places such as caves and dense plants, and mature substrate. Give it raised perches such as wood or rock in the current where it can fan. It is most vulnerable just after moulting, so caves matter. Water: 20–29 °C, pH 6.5–8.0, dKH 3–10. Feeding guide: filter feeders are hard to keep fed and this one often starves in clean, new tanks. A bamboo shrimp that spends its time picking through the gravel instead of fanning is hungry. Feed fine particulate foods into the current a few times a week. Copper: copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most other invertebrates. Never dose them in a tank holding this animal, and read the label of any treatment, fertiliser or algae remover before use. Sources: LiveAquaria (liveaquaria.com/products/singapore-flower-shrimp); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atyopsis). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Filters fine particles of algae, plant matter, detritus and leftover food from the water using its fans; when food is short it forages through the substrate. Supplement with finely crushed flake or pellet, powdered fry or filter-feeder foods, or crushed algae wafers, released upstream of the shrimp so the current carries it past.

Breeding

Very difficult. Females carry many tiny eggs; the larvae drift through many planktonic stages and need brackish to full-strength salt water, and they have rarely been raised in home aquariums. Almost all stock is wild-caught. Males have a large spur on the third pair of walking legs and, per LiveAquaria, grow larger than females.

Compatibility and tank mates

Completely peaceful and harmless to fish, plants and other shrimp. Keep with peaceful fish too small to eat it; avoid cichlids, large loaches and anything that harasses moulting shrimp. Several can be kept together if there is enough flow and food.

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