Bamboo Shrimp

Hello everyone!
Sorry this post is long, I didn't intend it to be but as I was writing it out it just kept going.

I have some experience in fish keeping but I would definitely still consider myself a beginner. I currently have 2 tanks, one 10 gallon with a Betta and 2 Nerite Snails. The other is a 20 long with 1 Betta, 12 Neon Tetras, 2 Nerite Snails and a new Bamboo Shrimp.

I usually do a ton of research about what I'm trying to do with my tanks but somehow I let the girl at my local fish store talk me into getting the Bamboo Shrimp.

After bringing him home and then researching I'm just not sure if he will be happy in my tank. The girl at the store said he'd be a good bottom feeder cleaning up the tank, eating left over food at the bottom etc. But from what I'm learning that's really not the case, they can bottom feed but really only if they are starving, they normally live in a strong water flow with their fans out and eat the tiny particles in the water. Please let me know if any of that is incorrect.

The real issue I have is that since I have a Betta in this tank I have a very low flow filter and I'm just worried that the Shrimp with not thrive. I did put a piece of driftwood going right up towards the filter to try and give him a nice place. I have seen him there once with his fans out and and I gave him some very finely ground up food and watched him feed and he seemed to enjoy it.

It has been a few days now and he mostly just seems to be hiding and I'm having trouble even finding him sometimes.

Basically, do you think I am over thinking this - having new parent anxiety - or should I rehome this guy so he can have a better life? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

The main issue I see here, is the betta mixed with shrimp. I know bamboo shrimp are a bit larger than most fancy shrimp, but the betta still may attack... how aggressive is the betta?

Thank you for the reply. The betta has not shown any aggression at all, he doesn't bother the tetras at all. When I added the shrimp the betta did come and investigate. He went right up close to the shrimp and the shrimp had his feelers/antenna actually rubbing all over the betta. The betta hasn't shown any interest in him since. The shrimp is pretty big. Probably 1.5 times bigger than the betta. Thanks again.

I have never had any luck with bamboo shrimp, so I can't help you I'm afraid. I appreciate that you're asking for help, though...

Bamboos do need a good current, which is a problem with a betta.
They are also nocturnal mostly, and shy by themselves--they appreciate other bamboos around. During the day they will often hide in nooks and crannies, or in caves too.


The branch in the current is a good start!

Perhaps there is a way to install a very weak internal filter or such very low in the tank, so most of the current is at the lower level? Then gauge how it affects the betta and adjust?

Or, is it possible to setup a whole new 20 and move the bamboo there, get some more, and set it up with a faster current? A 20 is the smallest for them as they do get a bit big (can get to 4 inches long!). Id move them and the neons (neons need cooler water than bettas) to another 20g OR get another 10 for the betta only, and increase the current in the 20.

As for food, they do best with fine spirulina and green water cultures too. Set up a container in a very sunny window with old aquarium water to let it grow green water. Good to aerate it as well.

Ive got a couple and they do very well for me, but do need to have consideration towards their need for a current.

Yeah, you really do need a current for them to thrive. I have two in my 125L tank, which is getting blasted with three powerheads. The bamboo shrimp will either sit in front of the biggest powerhead, or sit on top of the powerheads filter feeding.

I would follow NCAquatics suggestion and move the betta and the shrimp to separate tanks, if possible. Low current is better than nothing, but in my experience, they prefer lots of current.