Shrimp Name: Bamboo/Asian Fan/Wood Shrimp,

Rock/Flower/Thai/Singapore Filter Shrimp (Atyopsis moluccensis) (Low Order)

Origin: South East Asia

Description: The size of a fully developed female is 6 – 8 cm. The male is slightly larger and the size range is 8 -10cm. Our normal lifespan ranges between 5 – 8 years. The wood shrimp have 4 fanlike appendages which are used as filters for grabbing floating food particles, detritus and micro-organisms. They are easily recognizable by the long white strip in the middle with a hard shell. Color varies depending on the aquarium conditions, age and health status. This ranges from very pale light brown, to a dark red. When we are about to molt we turn into a dark brown reddish color.

Characteristics/ Habits: I enjoy the water current as this enables me to feed by capturing micro-organisms with my fancy appendages. I am creepy at first glance but my colourful personality is mesmerizing. I am shy and like to conceal myself whether inside a coconut shell or under some foliage. I hate to say this but I am mostly active whenever and wherever there is water current. If you turn off the lights and there is water current that is all that matters to me.

Water Parameters: 22°C-27°C/72°F-81°F. pH 6.5-7.8. Soft slightly acidic water appears to be preferred. I require good water quality with regular changes to keep nitrates in check, so attend to my needs with due diligence.

Sexing: It is difficult to sex us when we are young because we are too similar in appearance. The females are smaller than the males. In addition, the female fore legs are identical to rest of the legs whilst the male has much larger pair of fore legs.

Breeding: It is very difficult to breed us in captivity. Although it is easy to spawn us and get eggs it is difficult for us to survive in fresh water because of the larvae stage. The larvae need brackish to marine water for metamorphosis. There are no documented cases of captive breeding for us. There is very little information on breeding us as a species but few people have had some success.  Believe it or not, I have the same needs as the Caridina multidentata and I am talking about Amano shrimp.

Compatibility: I am a peaceful and fascinating creature. I like to mind my own business and am not aggressive to any small fish. In terms of large fish, I am likely to survive because of my size and hard shell, but require enough hiding spaces. I can be housed with any shrimp or our smaller counterparts because there is no threat of inbreeding. I am compatible with any shrimp, I am super friendly.