Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)
None (Yet!)
Names
Scientific name
Atya gabonensis
Atya camerounensis
Atyopsis gabonensis (former name)
Atyopsis moluccensis
Common name
Vampire shrimp
African fan shrimp
African filter shrimp
African giant shrimp
Blue rhino shrimp
Gabon shrimp
Cameroon fan shrimp
Origin
Origin: Africa (Cameroon, Senegal, Nigeria) and South America (Venezuela, Guyana, Surinam, Brazil).
Biotope: not-specific
Dimorphism
The female has larger "brushes" than the male. The third pair of legs in the male is larger than in the female.
Group
Atyidae
Volume
200 L / 44 Imp Gal / 53 US Gal
Parameters
T°: 26 to 30°C or 79 to 86°F
pH: 6.8 to 7.5
Hardness: 5 to 12°dGH
Difficulty
Average
Size
12 to 15cm (4.8 to 6")
Longevity
2 to 3 years
Living zone
Depth
Individuals
6
Food
How to feed the Vampire shrimp?
Food
How to feed the Vampire shrimp?
First of all, let's take stock of how it is fed. The broom shrimp has a kind of fan-shaped brush at the end of its front legs. These are pereiopods, organs that allow it to filter the water in order to extract nutrients (phytoplankton and zooplankton). Atya gabonensis is therefore a member of the filter shrimp family.
It will find most of its food naturally in your aquarium as long as there is a good current to transport the substances. However, if you see it starting to forage in the ground, it is because it is running out of food suspended in the water. To remedy the situation, you can offer it plankton such as Chorella, for example.
Behavior
What kind of behavior does the Vampire shrimp have?
Behavior
What kind of behavior does the Vampire shrimp have?
The Gabonese Blue Shrimp is very peaceful and peaceable. It is generally active and shows itself quite easily, provided that its aquarium and social group is suitable for it. If this is not the case, it becomes shy and remains hidden all the time. It should also be noted that she remains shy for some time after her arrival in a new aquarium, but with good maintenance conditions, this behaviour should disappear!
Shrimp moult regularly. This means that they have to leave a shell that has become too small to put on a brand new one. Moreover, the females are only fertile when they moult. These animals therefore grow by successive moults. Don't worry if your shrimp eats its moult: it is very beneficial for it! After moulting, the new shell needs some time to harden. During this time the shrimp is vulnerable and it knows it! So it will stay hidden for a while. The shrimp is almost white before and after a moult.
There are peaks of activity, especially in the evening before the lights go out.
Cohabitation
Who can live with the Vampire shrimp?
Cohabitation
Who can live with the Vampire shrimp?
The first recommended cohabitation is with its own congeners. Like the majority of shrimp, this species has a developed gregarious instinct and will only feel good in groups of at least 6 specimens. They tend to gather in a corner of the aquarium when they are numerous enough.
In terms of association with fish, it will not be a problem because this shrimp simply ignores these roommates.
Breeding
How to breed the Vampire shrimp?
Breeding
How to breed the Vampire shrimp?
Very difficult. The shrimp larvae must imperatively go through a stage in salt water during their development, which is rarely the case in aquariums. Young shrimp die at this stage.
Its aquarium
Which aquarium for the Vampire shrimp?
Its aquarium
Which aquarium for the Vampire shrimp?
Given its size, this large shrimp is to be reserved for large aquariums of at least 200 L / 44 Imp Gal / 53 US Gal.
The Gabon blue shrimp appreciates a good current, which is also essential for its filtration activity (a species known as "rheophilic", i.e. it lives in strong currents). Well oxygenated water is also essential.
Do not hesitate to install a stirring pump in your tank because for a correct maintenance, it is recommended a filtration of flow 10 to 20 times the volume of the tank per hour.
Provide many reassuring hiding places for all your shrimp. After all, these animals are prey and therefore have a strong protective instinct. They need to feel safe and be able to hide. If you offer them many hiding places and shady areas, they will feel safer and come out of their hiding places more often! To build up your shelters, plant your aquarium densely and add wood roots and rocks that form holes. Inverted half coconuts will also be widely used!
Good To know
Find all additional information!
Good To know
Find all additional information!
Its name "Gabon blue shrimp" is misleading. Indeed, it is not always blue (it can be grey or brown) and does not necessarily always come from Gabon (it can also come from South America)!
Its colouring can vary from deep blue to grey or even white. It seems that food and water parameters have an influence on its appearance.
In captivity, life expectancy is around 2 to 3 years. In very good conditions, it can even live up to 10 years!
Yours photos!
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