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Bamboo Shrimp

Bamboo Shrimp

Origin

🇮🇩

Indonesia

🇵🇭

Philippines

Habitat Size

50-150 Liters

Water Type

Fresh Water

Water Temperature

24º-28ºC

Cost in India

₹80 - ₹150

Size

4 - 5 inches (Small)

Diet

Omnivore

Brown and tan shrimp with long antennae swims right against a blurry green background
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by Happy Pet TeamUpdated on 15 Oct 2025

Bamboo shrimp is famously known as Atyopsis moluccensis, fan shrimp, wood shrimp, or Singapore wood shrimp. It is a peaceful freshwater filter-feeding shrimp native to Southeast Asia. Their graceful fan-like appendages, calm temperament, and usefulness in consuming fine particulate matter in water make them popular in community aquariums.

What is the Size of Bamboo Shrimp?

They grow anywhere between 5 to 7.5 cm (~2 to 3 inches) in length once the bamboo shrimp mature. Their size may vary depending on bamboo shrimp food, diet, and tank conditions.

What is the Total Life Expectancy of Bamboo Shrimp?

The Bamboo shrimp​ lifespan is anywhere between 1 to 2 years. They might end up living for up to 3 years with excellent care.

Is Bamboo Shrimp available in India?

Bamboo Shrimp can be bought from online stores and local aquarist shops, with prices between ₹400 and ₹600.

Best Tankmates for Bamboo Shrimp -

  1. Small peaceful fish: tetras (neon, ember), small gouramis, & rasboras
  2. Peaceful bottom dwellers: Corydoras catfish, & Otocinclus catfish
  3. Other shrimp & snails: Amano shrimp, ghost shrimp, nerite snails, Malaysian trumpet snails, & mystery snails

Avoid pairing with -

  1. Large predatory fish: goldfish, oscars, peacocks, large cichlids.
  2. Crayfish and large invertebrates which may prey on or outcompete for food.
  3. Fish with sharp mouths or fin-biters that might injure delicate appendages.

Characteristics

Temperament

Aggressive

Friendly

Compatibility with other fishes

Not Friendly

Super Friendly

Habitat Size

Small

Large

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Habitat Requirement for Bamboo Shrimp

Initial Setup Cost

₹4,000 - ₹12,000

Water Temperature

24º -28ºC

Water Type

Fresh Water

PH Level

6.5 - 7.5

Below are the habitat requirements for Bamboo Shrimp that must be maintained for a healthy life.

Parameter

Details

Minimum Tank Size

- 10 gallons (~38 L) for juveniles

- 20-30 gallons for adults or for keeping multiple shrimp.

Water Temperature

72-82 °F (~ 22-28 °C)

pH Level

- Slightly acidic to neutral

- pH between 6.5-7.5

Flow/ Current

Moderate to strong flow

Substrate & Decorations

- Smooth substrate

- Plenty of hiding places like plants, driftwood, rocks

- Decor that simulates slow-moving streams.


Essential Equipment

Aquarium tank

Water filter

Heater

Light

Substrate

Decor

Bamboo Shrimp Diet & Feeding Guide

Avg Monthly Expenses

₹80 - ₹ 150

Bamboo Shrimp love the following diet -

  1. Naturally occurring particles - Micro-algae, detritus, biofilm, planktonic particles in water column
  2. Supplementary foods - Very fine powdered foods, crushed algae wafers, filter-feeder specialized foods, very fine live or frozen foods.
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Health & Care Tips for Bamboo Shrimp

Common Health Issues

White spot / ick

Fungal infections

Parasitic infections

Ammonia poisoning

Columnaris (cotton wool-like growth on the skin)

Bacterial infections

Signs of good health

Active

Bright coloration

Good apetite

Signs of sickness

Frequent hiding

Dull coloring

White growths

White film

Reduced activity

Some effective health tips for Bamboo shrimp are -

  1. Keep water parameters stable and avoid spikes in ammonia, nitrites, or sudden changes in temperature/pH stress.
  2. Ensure flow is sufficient for feeding.
  3. Provide hiding spots, especially during molting phases (when they shed exoskeleton) because shrimp are vulnerable then.
  4. Avoid copper and some plant fertilizers like copper are toxic to shrimp, and fertilizers that release harmful chemicals can injure filter feeders.

Prerequisites for a Fish

Adequate tank space

Cleanliness

Effort & commitment

Enriching Environment

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Written by

Happy Pet Team

Author

Team Happy Pet is a passionate collective of pet experts, enthusiasts, and advocates dedicated to sharing trusted and insightful content.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What tank size is ideal for a bamboo Shrimp?

A minimum of 10 gallons is necessary for juveniles. 20-30 gallons (or more) is required for adult shrimp and multiple individuals.

How long do Bamboo Shrimp live?

They ideally live between 1-2 years. Some live up to 2-3 years or more under excellent care.

What are signs of a healthy Bamboo Shrimp?

Good feeding behavior (filter fans open, steady flow), regular molting, vibrant colouring, active movement, and intact appendages.

Do Bamboo Shrimp eat algae?

Yes, they consume tiny algae particles suspended in the water, but not algae growing on surfaces.

Can Bamboo Shrimp live with Betta fish?

Yes, Bamboo Shrimp can live with peaceful Betta fish as they are non-aggressive. But, avoid housing them with overly aggressive males that may nip at their fans or antennae.