Bamboo shrimp purchase

[Stump26]

Well I whent to the lfs today and seen what they were calling bamboo shrimp and I had to have one. I know nothing about them I hope I didn't waste my money I usually do research before I buy but I had to have it lol.

[ThatGuyWithTheFish]

Well, what do you want to know about them?

[cantsay39]

bamboo shrimps need to be kept in a well cycle tank, they normally hang out at the spongefilter, where they feed on micros with their fan like claws. they like to hide, so please make sure there are things for it to hide.

[GeToChKn]

They are a filter feeder, meaning they get their food from small microscopic food in the water. If you have a HOB or a canister filter with a spraybar, bamboo's usually like some sort of driftwood/perch near the flow of the filter so they get up there and eat. They have fans on their front limbs that they put out and collect food in the fans and then eat from. They do best in a really established tank as it takes lots of time for their food to develop. They don't do good in a brand new tank as their won't be food for them.

[Stump26]

Thanks guys for the replys

Thatguywiththefish: I really did ask a question just announcing my new purchase with hopes of someone knowing about them would share there experience with this type of fish.

I think I have enough hiding space no drift wood by the filter though

[dthb4438]

Crush up some algae wafers or something and put in so he will "catch" it with his filter hands. They are true filter feeders although they will pick stuff. When I got mine, the tank mates the LFS had him with nearly killed him and ate his filter hands.

[Stump26]

I'll try that thanks for that tip. This shrimp is bigger than every fish in my tank

[Complexity]

Don't just crush the algae wafer. Pulverize it into a powder. They eat only the tiniest of particles.

If you see them picking up stuff from the substrate or any other surface like a regular shrimp, then that's a sign that there's not enough tiny food floating in the water column for them to eat. A healthy bamboo shrimp will perch itself in one location the entire day with its fans held out while constantly pulling one of its fans to its mouth over and over again. Don't be surprised if it hardly ever moves from its favorite feeding spot. If it's happy, it'll sit in one spot all day long, day after day, filter feeding.

Bamboo shrimp will often change colors from a tan, brownish color to a beautiful red color. It is not know for certain why they change colors; although, I've read speculation that they tend to become more red the closer they get to molting time.

Enjoy your bamboo shrimp while you can because they have a relatively short lifespan. They generally live around 1-2 years.

Here's a video showing how a healthy bamboo shrimp feeds: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnxbXrVtJ3I