Vampire Shrimp care guide
Vampire Shrimp (Atyoida pilipes) — minimum tank 100 L, temperature 23-28 °C, pH 6.8-7.8.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Vampire Shrimp (Atyoida pilipes) is a large filter-feeding shrimp of the family Atyidae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as an intermediate-level species. Large filter-feeding shrimp with imposing color variations from blue to brown. Reclusive, comes out at dusk to filter feed in current.
Taxonomy
- Family: Atyidae
- Genus: Atyoida
- Scientific name: Atyoida pilipes
- Common synonyms: Mountain Shrimp, Viper Shrimp, African Filter Shrimp
Habitat
Atyoida pilipes is a large filter-feeding atyid shrimp from fast streams of West Africa and Madagascar. The species occupies rocky, well-oxygenated runs and uses fan-like setae on its first pereiopods to filter suspended particles. The Aquairi knowledge base records this entry from: West Africa, Madagascar.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L (26.4 US gal)
- Adult size: 8-12 cm
- Temperature: 23-28 °C (73-82 °F)
- pH: 6.8-7.8
- GH: 6-14 °dGH
- KH: 3-8 °dKH
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
Diet
An obligate filter feeder. Fan-like setae on the first pereiopods sweep suspended particles — phytoplankton, biofilm fragments, fine pellet dust and powdered shrimp food — from the water column. Adequate flow past a stable perch is essential; the animal does not graze surfaces effectively.
Compatibility
Peaceful filter feeder best kept with similarly peaceful fish; size and reclusive habits make it incompatible with large or aggressive predators. Suitable tank mates listed in the Aquairi knowledge base: Tetras, Rasboras, Cory Cats. Should be kept away from: Cichlids, Crayfish.
Breeding
Sexual reproduction with an obligatory salt or brackish larval phase. Females release planktonic larvae that develop only in higher-salinity water and metamorphose into the juvenile stage there before migrating back upstream. As a result, the species essentially does not reproduce in pure freshwater aquariums; eggs may be laid on hardscape, but the larvae cannot complete development.
Vampire Shrimp Breeding Guide (Atyoida pilipes)
Overview
Atyoida pilipes, traded as the vampire, mountain or green lace filter shrimp, is a large Atyidae filter feeder that grows to around 3.1 inches and has evolved small fans on its front legs to catch particles from the water column. It naturally occurs in streams with strong flow, particularly whitewater streams rich in suspended particles. As with other filter shrimp, breeding is the hard part: the larvae are believed to require brackish or full salt water to reach the adult form, so home reproduction in freshwater is impractical.
Conditioning
Adults need good flow that suspends food for their fans, and a tank that is not kept overly clean: a little debris in the corners makes prime foraging ground, especially if it is stirred back into the water column. Although this species is slightly better than bamboo or vampire-type shrimp at taking food from the substrate, doing so can damage its delicate fans. Supplement with fine foods such as powdered baby shrimp food, crushed fish flakes and spirulina powder to keep adults well fed and in condition.
Breeding Setup
Like other low-order filter shrimp, Atyoida pilipes is suspected to produce larvae that need brackish or salt water, breeding similarly to bamboo shrimp. A serious attempt therefore requires a separate saltwater or brackish rearing system away from the freshwater adult tank. Because there is very little documented success, any setup is experimental and should plan for a salinity-controlled larval vessel.
Spawning & Berried Females
Females carry eggs beneath the abdomen until hatching. As a low-order species the eggs yield free-swimming larvae rather than miniature adults, matching the amphidromous strategy of related filter feeders where larvae develop in brackish water before returning to freshwater. Documented breeding detail for this species is sparse, so spawning in captivity is rarely observed through to viable juveniles.
Shrimplet/Larval Care
There is no freshwater shrimplet phase; the planktonic larvae are not expected to survive in plain freshwater and would need a brackish-to-marine period with fine planktonic food. Reliable rearing protocols for this species are essentially undocumented, so larval survival is the principal unknown and the main barrier to producing offspring.
Common Challenges
The combination of salt-requiring larvae, salt-intolerant filter-feeding adults, and a near-total absence of documented success makes breeding impractical for hobbyists. The species also depends on strong flow and suspended food, which is demanding to maintain. As with bamboo shrimp, the realistic goal is healthy long-term care of wild-origin adults rather than reproduction.