Overview
The bamboo shrimp, also called the wood shrimp or fan shrimp, is one of the most unusual and calming animals you can keep. Instead of picking at surfaces like most shrimp, it perches in a spot with good water flow, opens up four feathery, fan-shaped front hands, and simply catches tiny bits of food floating past. When a fan fills up, the shrimp folds it into its mouth like eating from a spoon, then reaches back out for more.
These shrimp come from fast-moving streams in Asia and can grow surprisingly large for a freshwater shrimp. Their color can shift from reddish brown to tan, and they often have a pale stripe down their back. They are completely peaceful and a bit shy, and the biggest challenge in keeping them is making sure enough tiny food drifts through the water for their fans to catch.
| Care level | Moderate |
| Adult size | 3 in (8 cm) |
| Lifespan | 1 to 2 years |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Min. tank | 20 gal (76 L) |
| Temperature | 72 to 80 F (22 to 27 C) |
| pH | 6.5 to 7.5 |
| Diet | Filter feeder, tiny drifting food particles |
| Social | Peaceful, can be kept alone or in a group |
What it is and where it comes from
The bamboo shrimp is a large filter-feeding shrimp from flowing streams in Southeast Asia. Rather than hands with claws, it has fan-like appendages covered in fine bristles that work like nets. It is one of the biggest shrimp commonly kept in home aquariums and has a peaceful, patient personality.
Tank and water needs
Because they need moving water and drifting food, bamboo shrimp do best in a mature tank of at least 20 gallons (76 L) with a decent current from the filter. Keep the water between 72 and 80 F (22 to 27 C) with a pH around 6.5 to 7.5. Give them a raised perch, like driftwood or a rock, near the flow so they can fan comfortably. Copper is toxic to them, so avoid copper-based products.
Diet and feeding
Bamboo shrimp are filter feeders, which means they eat tiny particles drifting in the water instead of grazing surfaces. In a healthy planted tank there is often enough natural food, but you can help by adding powdered fish food or crushed flakes upstream so the bits float past their fans. If you ever see one crawling around picking at the floor, it may not be getting enough drifting food.
Tankmates and temperament
These are gentle, harmless shrimp that get along with almost everyone. Pair them with calm community fish like tetras, rasboras, and peaceful catfish. Avoid large or aggressive fish that might nip at their fans or bother them while they feed.
Moulting
Like all shrimp, the bamboo shrimp moults, shedding its whole shell as it grows a larger one. Right after moulting the new shell is soft and the shrimp is delicate, so it will hide until it hardens. Finding an empty shell in the tank is normal and does not mean your shrimp has died.
Fun facts
- Bamboo shrimp catch food with four fan-shaped hands instead of eating off surfaces.
- They are one of the largest freshwater shrimp kept in home tanks.
- They love steady water flow because it carries the tiny food they filter.
- Their color can change from tan to reddish brown, often with a stripe down the back.
- Copper is poisonous to them, like all invertebrates.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my bamboo shrimp wave its hands in the water?
That is how it eats. The fan-shaped hands act like nets that catch tiny bits of drifting food, which the shrimp then wipes into its mouth.
Do bamboo shrimp need water flow?
Yes. They rely on a current to carry food to their fans, so a spot with gentle to moderate flow is important for them to feed well.
What should I feed a bamboo shrimp?
Add powdered or finely crushed fish food into the current so it drifts past. If your shrimp is crawling around scavenging, it is a sign it needs more floating food.
Are bamboo shrimp safe with other fish?
Yes, they are completely peaceful. Just keep them with calm tankmates and avoid large or nippy fish that might disturb them.
