Australian Riffle Shrimp Care Guide
(Australatya striolata)
Australian Riffle Shrimp are peaceful native freshwater shrimp famous for their “fan hands” used to catch tiny food particles from flowing water. They are very similar to Bamboo Shrimp and are becoming more popular in Australian aquariums.
Quick Facts
|
Care Aspect |
Details |
|
Scientific name |
Australatya striolata |
|
Common names |
Riffle Shrimp, Australian Filter Shrimp |
|
Adult size |
~6 cm |
|
Lifespan |
2–4 years |
|
Temperament |
Peaceful |
|
Difficulty |
Moderate |
|
Feeding style |
Filter feeder |
|
Best kept |
In groups or peaceful community tanks |
Ideal Water Parameters
|
Parameter |
Recommended |
|
Temperature |
17–24°C |
|
pH |
6.5–7.5 |
|
GH |
Low–moderate |
|
KH |
Low |
|
Flow |
Moderate to strong |
|
Nitrate |
Very low |
Australian riffle shrimp naturally come from shallow flowing creeks and streams, so oxygen-rich water and current are important.
Tank Setup
Best Environment
- Strong filter outflow or powerhead
- Driftwood and rocks to perch on
- Mature planted aquarium
- High dissolved oxygen
- Tight lid — they can climb out of tanks
Tank Size
- Minimum: 60L
- Better: 90L+ for stable water and stronger flow
Important Behavior
They usually sit facing current with fan hands open to catch food. If they constantly pick through substrate, they may not be getting enough suspended food.
Feeding
Riffle shrimp are filter feeders, not scavengers like cherry shrimp.
Good Foods
- Spirulina powder
- Powder fry food
- Crushed flakes
- Bacter AE
- Golden Pearls
- Micronized shrimp foods
- Fine algae particles
Feeding Tip
Turn flow slightly higher during feeding so food stays suspended in the water column. Many keepers use a turkey baster near the shrimp’s perch.
Tank Mates
Good Tank Mates
- Small peaceful fish
- Tetras
- Rasboras
- Corydoras
- Amano shrimp
- Snails
Avoid
- Large cichlids
- Aggressive fish
- Predatory fish
- Crayfish
Although peaceful, they can become stressed if constantly harassed.
Molting
Like all shrimp, they molt regularly.
Signs of healthy molting:
- Hiding before molt
- Bright active behavior after molt
- Empty shell left behind
Do not remove molts immediately — shrimp often eat them for minerals.
Breeding
Breeding is still not fully understood by hobbyists.
Interesting fact:
- Young individuals are male first
- Around 3–4 cm they often transition to female
Many aquarists suspect larvae may require special conditions similar to Bamboo Shrimp, making breeding uncommon in home aquariums.
Common Problems
|
Problem |
Cause |
|
Constant hiding |
Stress or insufficient flow |
|
Digging substrate |
Not enough suspended food |
|
Failed molts |
Poor minerals or unstable water |
|
Climbing out |
Poor oxygen/water quality |
|
Lethargy |
Low flow or starvation |
Best Tips for Success
- Mature tank is very important
- Strong flow = happy shrimp
- Feed powdered foods regularly
- Avoid ultra-clean sterile tanks
- Give elevated perches near filter flow
- Keep stable parameters
A well-set-up riffle shrimp tank is very entertaining because you can watch them “wave” their feeding fans in the current all day.
| Quantity |
1 x Riffle Shrimp 1.5-2cm, 1 x Riffle Shrimp 3cm, 1 x Riffle Shrimp 4-5cm |
|---|
