Breeding the bamboo shrimp
Females carry eggs that hatch into tiny drifting larvae; the larvae must reach brackish water to develop and die in fresh or full sea water. Rarely bred at home.
Step by step
Buy a group of 3-6 adults. Females are bigger.
Larvae need brackish water and fine foods. Rarely achieved at home.
Mature females carry eggs and release larvae; hard to reproduce at home.
Thousands of tiny eggs; larvae hatch and need brackish water.
Larvae need brackish water, green water and fine plankton. Survival is very low.
- Trying to raise larvae in freshwater
- Feeding too little to the adults
- Strong flow that stresses fry
Male or female
Males are larger than non-gravid females, with much chunkier walking legs; large males have a big spur on the third leg.
Can I breed it in my tank?
- The larvae need brackish or sea water, which takes a second, salty tank.
- Hard: for experienced breeders.
Day-by-day plan
Typical for need salty water for larvae
- Day 0Eggs or larvae
These need brackish or sea water to raise. Not a beginner project.
- Day 30Back to fresh water
Surviving young are slowly moved back to fresh water.
A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.
Simulator: guided
These need brackish or sea water to raise. Not a beginner project.
Simulator: try it yourself
Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.
- Without live or frozen food the parents aren't in breeding condition.
An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.