Petshrimp.com Discussion Forum

Hi everyone, while sorting through some pictures, I was so surprised to see claws/nails on the Bamboo shrimp's (Atyopsis Moluccensis) legs! I guess part of the surprise comes from the fact that considering their large size, they are quite harmless to other shrimp. So I just didn't expect to see it; hmmm, wondering if I'm the only person that didn't know... The African filter shrimp (Atya gabonensis) seem to have claws/nails too.





I do know from my two Bamboo shrimp that they like to jockey for best filtering position, standing side by side and sometimes pushing at each other with their legs. It's almost as if they want to get the advantage by having their foot in front of, and over the other, much like a boxer makes sure to have their foot outside their opponent's while circling the ring. I also observed one of them on an algae covered rock actually scraping the algae with his/her claw/nail, then working the algae toward the fan, then into the mouth.

Anyone else observe any of this, or any other interesting behaviors? I do know they are good at clutching onto rocks and plants and often seem to prefer that rather than standing on the aquarium floor. They seem rather clumsy when walking around; perhaps when they walk on gravel it's a little like walking on high heels, lol.

-GunmetalBlue

Hi GM,

Actually, all shrimp (that I know of) have claws...it's just that you cannot see them all that well since many shrimp are very small animals. These "claws" enable shrimp to hold on to things. Filter shrimp have especially large claws on their first pair of walking legs, with which they "box" away conspecifics and also enemies. My filter shrimp used to box away (very successfully) some Macrobrachiums with some very nasty, large claws.

I have never observed them scraping algae from rocks, but that, of course, does not mean it's impossible.

Take care,
Mustafa

Hi Mustafa and welcome back.

Hmmm, sounds like I got all excited over nothing; I've still a lot to learn. I just looked at my Macrobrachium pics, and it does have claws, though perhaps I never thought of it as such because it looks like a mere extension of their leg.

Left side of the pic shows claws and the last claw shows little bristles, though I suspect all of them might have bristles. (Didn't bother to crop, as this pic was already conveniently posted)


The smaller shrimp's claws appear like cilia-type growth. However, with the Bamboo, the way their claw comes out of their leg, it looks similar to something a land animal might have.

So your filter shrimp has fended off some Macrobrachiums! I've certainly noticed their rowdy side and can imagine it. In a large enough tank, I think it very worthwhile having two or more Bamboos IMO. Even though they sometimes box, it's really neat seeing them hanging out together. Thanks for your interesting reply.

-GB

I love those purple eyes.

Whenever I eat crab, one of my favorite parts to pull off of the walking legs is that talon at the end. Sometimes they can make good toothpicks after a messy meal too