Wood Shrimp

Wood Shrimp

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Wood Shrimp

Survive in aquariums: Yes
Survive in warm ponds: Not recommended
Survive in cold ponds: No
Plant eating capacity: Low
Algae eating capacity: Low for surface algae, high for suspended algae

The wood shrimp is a great shrimp. Wood shrimp are Atyopsis species such as Atyopsis moluccensis and may also be called Singapore shrimp or bamboo shrimp. They are unique in that they grow up to three inches, live longer, and are filter feeders. They have two pairs of feathery appendages to collect suspended algae and microorganisms. Wood shrimp need temperatures in the mid-70's F to mid 80's F and cannot tolerate cold. Our local aquarium store has them in a 200 gallon completely planted tank at 80 degrees F. This is an ideal home for them. They will not do well in small tanks without a lot of suspended foods. Wood shrimp are so named because they blend in with driftwood. They have a dark stripe down their wood-colored body. They can change colors within the brown, yellow-brown, and orange-brown area of colors to match their surroundings.

One aquarist has 6 wood shrimp in a 150 gallon tank and provided the following information. Some of the tank statistics include 83 degrees F; web/dry filtration, UV sterilization; live and fake plants, rocks, driftwood; pH 6.9, GH 4, KH 1; 7 discus, 6 angels, 10 cories, 1 dwarf pleco; 33% weekly water change, 5% mid-week water change; feeds flake, spirulina disks, and live foods. One of the shrimp is larger and a deep and bright orange. This one stands on top of the other shrimp and travels all over the tank, and is therefore, most likely a male. At least three of the duller shrimp carry eggs that are bright red-orange under their bodies. The females fan the eggs which fade in color as they mature. The shrimp are elusive but females with eggs seem to more vigorously and boldly eat off things growing on the driftwood.
Information used with permission from Robyn

Wood Shrimp

Survive in aquariums: Yes
Survive in warm ponds: Not recommended
Survive in cold ponds: No
Plant eating capacity: Low
Algae eating capacity: Low for surface algae, high for suspended algae

The wood shrimp is a great shrimp. Wood shrimp are Atyopsis species such as Atyopsis moluccensis and may also be called Singapore shrimp or bamboo shrimp. They are unique in that they grow up to three inches, live longer, and are filter feeders. They have two pairs of feathery appendages to collect suspended algae and microorganisms. Wood shrimp need temperatures in the mid-70's F to mid 80's F and cannot tolerate cold. Our local aquarium store has them in a 200 gallon completely planted tank at 80 degrees F. This is an ideal home for them. They will not do well in small tanks without a lot of suspended foods. Wood shrimp are so named because they blend in with driftwood. They have a dark stripe down their wood-colored body. They can change colors within the brown, yellow-brown, and orange-brown area of colors to match their surroundings.

One aquarist has 6 wood shrimp in a 150 gallon tank and provided the following information. Some of the tank statistics include 83 degrees F; web/dry filtration, UV sterilization; live and fake plants, rocks, driftwood; pH 6.9, GH 4, KH 1; 7 discus, 6 angels, 10 cories, 1 dwarf pleco; 33% weekly water change, 5% mid-week water change; feeds flake, spirulina disks, and live foods. One of the shrimp is larger and a deep and bright orange. This one stands on top of the other shrimp and travels all over the tank, and is therefore, most likely a male. At least three of the duller shrimp carry eggs that are bright red-orange under their bodies. The females fan the eggs which fade in color as they mature. The shrimp are elusive but females with eggs seem to more vigorously and boldly eat off things growing on the driftwood.
Information used with permission from Robyn