Bamboo shrimp (Atyopsis moluccensis) wood, fan, or flower shrimp

Bamboo shrimp (Atyopsis moluccensis), also commonly known as wood, fan, or flower shrimp, are peaceful, fascinating freshwater invertebrates native to Southeast Asia. They grow up to 3 inches (8 cm) long, showcase a reddish-brown woodgrain color pattern, and are famous for their specialized fan-like appendages used to filter food from water currents.

Core Habitat Requirements

Strong Water Current: These shrimp are filter feeders. They need a steady flow from a powerhead, filter output, or wavemaker to sit in front of and catch drifting nutrients.

Perching & Hiding Spots: Place rocks, driftwood, and tall live plants directly in the path of the water current. They also require secure caves to hide in after molting when their new shells are soft and vulnerable.

Mature Tank Ecosystem: Do not introduce them to a brand-new aquarium. They rely heavily on naturally occurring suspended organic particles and microfauna found only in established, biologically active systems.

Diet and Feeding Behavior

Bamboo shrimp use their delicate fans to capture microscopic food floating in the water column.

Target Foods: They do not actively seek out large pellets or graze on solid algae. You must feed them finely powdered foods, such as crushed fish flakes, powdered spirulina, Bacter AE, or specialized baby/fry foods.

How to Feed: Mix the powder with a little tank water and use a pipette to release it upstream from the shrimp.

Warning Sign: If you see your bamboo shrimp picking at the gravel substrate to eat, they are starving. This behavior means there is not enough food suspended in the water, and scraping the ground can permanently damage their fragile feeding fans.

Tank Mates

Because they lack defensive claws, they must only live with peaceful neighbors. Excellent choices include dwarf shrimp (like Cherry or Amano shrimp), snails, and small, non-aggressive fish like tetras, rasboras, guppies, and kuhli loaches. Avoid large or aggressive fish like cichlids, barbs, or goldfish that will harass or eat them.