Bamboo Shrimp

[cheseboy]

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Name: Bamboo shrimp, Timber shrimp, Wood shrimp, Fan Shrimp
Scientific Name: Atyopsis moluccensis
DISTRIBUTION-- Singapore
HABITAT-- Fast running rivers of Singapore.
SIZE-- 3-4½",smaller when kept in the home aquaria around 3½"
TANK SIZE-- Smaller tanks can easily house this shrimp. 10 Gallons is the absolute minimum tank size you can keep one in. Anything smaller and you will have food problems and the shrimp won't be too comfortable either.
DIET--Suspended algae and other microscopic organisms, can be fed small amounts of liquid fry food and foods for fine marine filter feeders such as Kent Marine's Phytoplex.
TANK ZONE-- Everywhere, it will roam wherever there is an object to cling on to.
TEMPERAMENT-- Very peaceful even though looks can be misleading. Is compatible with any smaller not aggressive shrimp or fish. Can not be housed with any aggressive inverts or fish as they will eat the shrimp either when it is molting or when it is in the open.
CHEMISTRY:
-pH- In nature this shrimp enjoys a slightly acidic environment. In the home aquarium this shrimp can be kept at a wide range of pH parameters ranging from acidic to alkaline.
-Hardness- Prefers to live in soft water but is able to live in soft to hard water
-Temperature- Very wide, can tolerate anywhere from 68 - 85F but prefers 73-84F
PHOTOPERIOD-- receives 12 hours of light each day in nature.
SENSITIVITIES-- All species of shrimp are very sensitive to copper and lots of other medications. Be sure to look on the back of the bottle before you dose anything. If unsure it is best moved for treatment.
HARDINESS & LIFESPAN-- Moderately Hardy, can survive pH spikes and such, though when exposed to copper there is a good chance it will die.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION-- Distinct feathery like appendages. Colors can vary but when in a "good mood" it turns a deep red color and develops a distinct white line down it's back, Only when stressed does the shrimp actually resemble wood. 6 walking legs in all and 2 long antennae.
SEXES-- When fully grown males have larger and thicker front walking legs than females
ACTIVITY PEAK-- None
HABITS-- During the day this shrimp filter feeds. That is basically all it does. About once a month or so it will molt. This is a hard time for the shrimp so it will hide if there are potential predators in the tank of there are no potential predators it will be very bold walking with no shell on. It does not school and interact that much with others of it's kind (except for mating). At night it does exactly the same thing.
SPAWNING NOTES-- This shrimp's fry has never been reared so far. When given the ideal conditions the shrimp will produce eggs easily. It's usually the actual rearing of the fry that is difficult. The fry need brackish water to a full salt marine environment for the larvae to go from a planktonic state to a miniature version of the adult.
OTHER NOTES--This shrimp is a real "water polisher" They will keep your water Crystal clear and completely free of suspended algae. This shrimp loves a good current so make sure you have a filter output or a small powerhead output in a place you want your shrimp to be viewed because they will always be there filtering out the goods. Also, algae can grow on your shrimp's exoskeleton depending on nitrates, lighting etc. So if you see a little brown spot on the top of your shrimp it's probably just a bit of brown algae and will go away when it molts.