Armoured Shrimp

🦐 Armoured Shrimp (Armoured Shrimp)

Add a fascinating and functional invertebrate to your aquarium with the unique Armoured Shrimp. Often known for their fan-like feeding appendages and ridged, “armoured” appearance, these peaceful shrimp are natural filter feeders that bring both utility and intrigue to planted and community aquariums.

Calm, unusual, and highly engaging to watch, Armoured Shrimp are perfect for aquarists looking to add diversity and natural behaviour to their tank.

🌿 Why Choose Armoured Shrimp?

🛡️ Distinctive ridged, armoured appearance
🪶 Fan-feeding behaviour – filters food from water
🧘 Peaceful and non-aggressive
🌿 Ideal for planted and natural aquascapes
⭐ Unique alternative to typical algae shrimp

Armoured Shrimp often position themselves in areas of gentle flow, extending their fan-like appendages to catch microscopic food particles drifting in the water.

📏 Care Requirements

🧬 Scientific Name: Atyopsis moluccensis (commonly sold as Armoured/Bamboo Shrimp)
📛 Common Name: Armoured Shrimp / Bamboo Shrimp
🏠 Tank Size: 60L+ recommended
📏 Adult Size: ~6–10 cm
🌡️ Temperature: 22–28°C
⚗️ pH Range: 6.5–7.5
🧘 Temperament: Peaceful
🍽️ Diet: Suspended micro foods, powdered foods, fine particles (supplement if needed)
👥 Group Size: 1+ (can be kept singly or in groups)

Armoured Shrimp thrive in mature aquariums with steady water flow, perching spots (rocks, wood), and a consistent supply of fine food particles in the water column.

🐠 Compatibility

Ideal for peaceful community aquariums. Suitable tank mates include small tetras, rasboras, Corydoras, gouramis, and other non-aggressive species. Safe with most fish that won’t prey on shrimp.

⚠️ Important Notes

Armoured Shrimp are filter feeders and do not graze like typical shrimp, so they may require targeted feeding with fine powdered foods. They depend on gentle to moderate flow to feed effectively and should not be kept in very “clean” tanks without suspended food.

The Armoured Shrimp is a fantastic choice for UK aquarists wanting a peaceful, unusual, and functional invertebrate that adds both interest and natural filtration behaviour to planted aquariums.