Bamboo shrimp care guide
Also called: Wood shrimp, Flower shrimp, Asian fan shrimp, Singapore shrimp, Singapore flower shrimp, Filter shrimp, Atyopsis moluccensis
The bamboo shrimp is a peaceful Asian shrimp, about 3 inches (8 cm) long, that catches floating food with four feathery fans. It never harms tankmates, but it needs a mature tank with strong current and fine food in the water, or it slowly starves.
Bamboo shrimp need a tank of at least 20 gallons (76 L), and water at 23–28°C (73–82°F) with a pH of 6.5–7.5. They grow to about 8 cm (3.1 in) and are peaceful.
Plan a tank with bamboo shrimpSee all tank mates
Bamboo shrimp quick facts
| Scientific name | Atyopsis moluccensis |
|---|---|
| Family | Atyidae |
| Origin | Fast-flowing streams of South and Southeast Asia, from Sri Lanka and Thailand to Indonesia and the Philippines (almost all are wild-caught) |
| Adult size | 8 cm (3.1 in) |
| Minimum tank | 20 gallons (76 L) |
| Temperature | 23–28°C (73–82°F) |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 |
| Hardness (GH) | 6–10 dGH |
| Group size | Can live alone |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Bottom |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Care level | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 2–3 years |
| Safe with plants? | Yes |
- Known jumper: keep a tight-fitting lid.
Tank setup
Give one or a few shrimp at least 20 gallons (76 L), ideally in a tank that has been running for a few months. Add driftwood, rocks or sturdy plants as perches in the current, plus caves where they can hide after molting. Cover filter intakes and keep a lid on, since stressed shrimp may climb out.
How many bamboo shrimp in a tank?
The smallest common tank that suits bamboo shrimp is a 20 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.
| Tank | Bamboo shrimp (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 15 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon | Up to 24 |
| 20 gallon long | Up to 24 |
| 29 gallon | Up to 34 |
| 40 gallon | Up to 48 |
| 55 gallon | Up to 66 |
| 75 gallon | Up to 90 |
| 125 gallon | Up to 150 |
What you need for bamboo shrimp
Sized for a 20 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits bamboo shrimp. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 20 gallon aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Aquarium stand for 20 gallons (opens Amazon in a new tab)The water alone weighs about 167 lb (76 kg), before glass, gravel and rock. How to choose
- Adjustable heater, 75 W (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds about 78 °F (25.5 °C) in a room at 65 °F (18 °C). How to choose
- Aquarium thermometer (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check it daily: heaters can fail stuck on or off. How to choose
- Sponge filter for 30 gallons (opens Amazon in a new tab)Gentle flow, about 60–100 GPH, suits shrimp and snails, which prefer slow water. Needs a small air pump. How to choose
- About 35 lb of aquarium gravel (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 2 in (5 cm) deep. Smooth gravel suits most community fish. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 24 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for bamboo shrimp
- Shrimp food (opens Amazon in a new tab)Shrimp mostly graze, so feed lightly.
- Java moss or other live moss (opens Amazon in a new tab)Shrimp graze on the biofilm that grows on moss, and baby shrimp hide in it. How to choose
Product links go to Amazon search results. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure.
Water parameters
Keep them at 23–28 °C (73–82 °F), pH 6.5–7.5 and 6–10 dGH. They need clean, well-oxygenated water with strong flow in at least part of the tank, so use a powerful filter or add a small powerhead. Ammonia and nitrite must stay at zero, and copper is deadly. Acclimate them slowly.
Best tank mates for bamboo shrimp
These popular species share bamboo shrimp' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 69 good matches.
Cherry shrimp
3 cm (1.2 in) · 20–27°C (68–81°F)
Nerite snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Guppy
5 cm (2 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Neon tetra
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 21–25°C (70–77°F)
Panda corydoras
4.5 cm (1.8 in) · 21–25°C (70–77°F)
Bristlenose pleco
12 cm (4.7 in) · 22–26°C (72–79°F)
Bronze corydoras
7 cm (2.8 in) · 21–26°C (70–79°F)
Zebra danio
5 cm (2 in) · 18–25°C (64–77°F)
Avoid keeping bamboo shrimp with
- Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Bamboo shrimp 23–28°C (73–82°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
- Pea puffer: Pea puffer is best kept in a species-only tank.
- White cloud mountain minnow: They need different temperatures: Bamboo shrimp 23–28°C (73–82°F), white cloud mountain minnow 16–22°C (61–72°F).
Feeding
They are filter feeders and can't pick up pellets. They hold their fans open in the current to catch tiny floating particles. Feed fine powdered food, such as spirulina powder, fry food or finely crushed flakes, a few times a week, released upstream so the flow carries it to them. A shrimp that sweeps the substrate with its fans is not finding enough food in the water.
Behavior
Gentle and calm. They have no real claws and never bother fish, shrimp or snails. Many sit in one favourite spot for hours, fanning the current, and they are a little more active at night. Avoid large fish, cichlids, crayfish and crabs, which can injure them, especially right after a molt. Small peaceful fish, dwarf shrimp and snails make good company.
Breeding
Breeding at home almost never succeeds. Females carry eggs, but the tiny larvae need salt water for about three months and then a slow move back to fresh water. Nearly all bamboo shrimp in shops are caught in the wild.
Tips from experienced keepers
- Add them only to a tank that has run for several months. New tanks hold too little fine food in the water.
- Fans held open in the current mean it is feeding. Fans scraping the bottom mean it is hungry.
- Target-feed small amounts of powdered food with a pipette or syringe just upstream of the shrimp.
- Don't scrub the tank spotless. A little leaf litter and drifting detritus is food for them.
- If one hides for a few days after a molt, leave it be. Its new shell needs time to harden.
Frequently asked questions
Do bamboo shrimp need a strong current?
Yes. They feed by holding their fans in moving water, and without flow the food never reaches them. Point the filter outlet or a small powerhead near a perch they like.
Can bamboo shrimp live with cherry shrimp?
Yes. Bamboo shrimp are harmless to dwarf shrimp, they like similar water, and the two don't crossbreed.
How big do bamboo shrimp get?
Most reach about 3 inches (8 cm), and big males can grow a little larger. They are one of the largest shrimp kept in community tanks.
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.