Atyoida pilipes is widespread in the Pacific, ranging from the Philippines and Lesser Sunda Islands through to the Pacific high islands (Chace 1983) where it occurs in fast flowing streams. In view of its wide distribution and the absence of any specific threats, the species is considered as least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species.

No specific threats to this species or its habitat have been identified but with that said this species, in both Indonesia and the Philippines, is of commercial importance being caught with other Atyidae and used for human and animal consumption or used for fertilizer.

 

Dwarf shrimps are charming and completely harmless, but also very small. So keepers of somewhat larger fish often search for a species of shrimp which is absolutely harmless and day active, but also a bit larger - too large to be eaten as an intermediate snack between dinner and supper. For these cases Mother Nature has produced Atyoida pilipes. This shrimp attains a maximum length of about 5 cm and feeds exclusively on very small particles of food which are filtered with the fan-like shaped claws out of the water.

 

The animals are completely harmless. In an aquarium they also feed readily on dry food for fishes, so feeding them is no problem at all. The best choice is food tablets that decay slowly in the water. Here all A. pilipes that live in the tank will meet quite fast.

This shrimp likes to live in larger aggregations, so one should never keep them alone. In any other respect the animal is absolutely undemanding. The only exception is when it comes to breeding A. pilipes: raising the very tiny larvae is quite difficult, because they develop only in marine environments.

 

For our customers: the shrimps have code 481270 on our stock list. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.

 

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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