Green Lace Shrimp

Atyoida pilipes

📍 Southeast Asia (wild-caught populations from Indonesia and surrounding regions)

Green Lace Shrimp are medium-sized freshwater shrimp featuring a distinctive lace-like pattern of green coloration overlaid on a translucent body, creating a delicate, intricate appearance. Their name derives from the fine, lacey markings that resemble intricate fabric, making them visually striking in planted aquariums. These shrimp are excellent algae grazers and detritivores, contributing significantly to tank maintenance.

Size1.5"

Min Tank10g

School10+

peaceful

Zonebottom

Care Guide

Diet

Green Lace Shrimp are primarily detritivores that graze on biofilm, algae, and decaying plant matter throughout the day. Supplement with high-quality shrimp pellets (Shirakura, Mosura), blanched vegetables such as spinach and zucchini, and occasional protein sources like dried seaweed. Feed small amounts 2-3 times weekly, removing uneaten food after 24 hours.

Behavior

These shrimp are active grazers that spend most of their time foraging on substrate and plant surfaces, particularly during dawn and dusk. They are social and do well in groups, exhibiting minimal aggression toward conspecifics. Molting occurs every 4-6 weeks; provide adequate calcium and minerals to support healthy exoskeleton development.

Breeding

Green Lace Shrimp breed readily in established tanks with stable water parameters and adequate food sources. Females produce small clutches of 20-30 shrimplets that develop within the egg sac for 3-4 weeks before release. Provide dense vegetation and biofilm-rich surfaces to maximize fry survival; no special breeding setup is required.

Tank Mates

Otocinclus

Small, peaceful algae-eater that shares similar grazing habits and water parameter preferences

excellent

Ember Tetra

Tiny, non-aggressive fish that will not predate on adult shrimp or shrimplets

excellent

Chili Rasbora

Micro-sized peaceful fish that coexist peacefully with shrimp colonies

excellent

Amano Shrimp

Larger shrimp species that may compete for food but rarely show aggression

good

Java Moss

Provides grazing surface, shelter, and breeding habitat for shrimp

excellent

Common Diseases

Molting Failure / Incomplete Ecdysis

Symptoms

Shrimp unable to fully shed exoskeleton, appearing stuck or deformed; lethargy and loss of appetite

Treatment

Increase mineral supplementation (calcium, magnesium) via specialized shrimp mineral supplements; ensure GH is within 6-10 dGH; perform 25% water changes weekly to maintain water quality

Bacterial Infection / Septicemia

Symptoms

Discoloration, lesions on body or appendages, cloudy appearance, reduced activity, death within days

Treatment

Perform 50% water change immediately; increase aeration; add Indian almond leaves or tannin-rich botanicals to lower pH slightly and boost immune response; maintain pristine water conditions; isolate affected individuals if possible

Vorticella / Epistylis (Ciliate Infection)

Symptoms

White, fuzzy coating on body and appendages resembling mold; difficulty moving; lethargy

Treatment

Perform daily 50% water changes for 1 week; increase water flow and aeration; add salt-free stress coat; ensure biofilm is abundant to support immune function; maintain temperature at 24-26 C (75-79 F)

Copper Toxicity

Symptoms

Sudden death, erratic swimming, loss of color, inability to molt

Treatment

Perform immediate 75% water change; use copper-free medications and fertilizers exclusively; test tap water for copper contamination; use RO water if necessary; avoid all copper-containing treatments and plant fertilizers