TankBud

Green lace shrimp

Atyoida pilipes

Also known as Atyopsis pilipes, Green lace filter shrimp

FreshwaterShrimp

Green lace shrimp (Atyoida pilipes)

Care at a glance

Temperature
73–82°F
23–28°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Adult size
2.8 in
7 cm
Minimum tank
14 gal
54 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Filter feeder
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Atyidae
Origin
Island streams of the Philippines, Indonesia, and the western Pacific

Overview

The green lace shrimp is a filter-feeding fan shrimp, smaller than the common bamboo shrimp but kept the same way. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

The green lace shrimp's color is not fixed. The same shrimp can shift between moss green, olive and a dull brown over a week. The change tracks its mood and molt cycle, not any change in the tank.

Caring for the green lace shrimp

Give green lace shrimp a tank of at least 14 gal (54 L) with strong flow and high oxygen. A powerhead or spray bar gives the current and plenty of surface movement. Add smooth stones or wood where they can perch in the flow. Keep the water clean and well filtered, at 73 to 82°F (23 to 28°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.5.

Green lace shrimp feed on fine suspended particles, which they strain from the passing water. Target-feed powdered foods, crushed flake and dusts of frozen baby brine or daphnia into the current. Never rely on pellets alone, or they slowly starve.

They are peaceful and sociable, so keep several together. They will not bother fish or dwarf shrimp.

Breeding them at home is hard. The tiny larvae need brackish or salt water to develop, so colonies do not build up in fresh water.

Good to know

Atyoida pilipes belongs to Atyidae, the fan and dwarf shrimp family, and is still sold under the retired name Atyopsis pilipes. Instead of pincers, its front legs end in folding, bristled fans that sweep drifting particles from the water.

In the wild

Green lace shrimp come from clear, fast island streams in the Philippines, Indonesia and the western Pacific. They cling to boulders in swift, oxygen-rich riffles and fan the passing current for food.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The green lace shrimp is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a green lace shrimp need?

A green lace shrimp needs at least 14 gal (54 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a green lace shrimp need?

A green lace shrimp is comfortable at 73–82°F (23–28°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

What does a green lace shrimp eat?

A green lace shrimp feeds on fine suspended particles. Target-feed powdered foods, crushed flake and dusts of frozen baby brine or daphnia into the current, since pellets alone leave it slowly starving.

How big does a green lace shrimp get?

An adult green lace shrimp reaches about 2.8 in (7 cm).

How does a green lace shrimp breed?

Green lace shrimp are hard to breed at home. Their tiny larvae need brackish or salt water to develop, so colonies do not build up in fresh water.

Related species