Vampire Shrimp care guide
Vampire Shrimp (Atya gabonensis) — minimum tank 80 L, temperature 23-28 °C, pH 6.5-7.5.
Overview
The Vampire Shrimp (Atya gabonensis) — also known as the African Filter Shrimp or African Giant Shrimp — is a large filter-feeding atyid shrimp from West Africa and South America. Adults reach 12-15 cm and use fan-shaped chelipeds to sieve fine particles from the water column.
Taxonomy
- Family: Atyidae
- Genus: Atya
- Scientific name: Atya gabonensis
- Common synonyms: African Filter Shrimp, Gabon Shrimp
Habitat
Native to fast-flowing rivers of West Africa (Senegal to Angola) and northern South America (Venezuela to Brazil). Inhabits well-oxygenated swift currents over rocky substrate where suspended food particles are abundant.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L (21.1 US gal)
- Adult size: 8-15 cm
- Temperature: 23-28 °C (73-82 °F)
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- GH: 3-10 °dGH
- Water flow: strong
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
Diet
A specialist filter-feeder. The shrimp extends two pairs of fan-shaped chelipeds into the current and sieves bacteria, fine detritus, biofilm fragments and phytoplankton. In aquaria moderate flow and supplemental fine particulate food (powdered fry food, very fine shrimp pellets, suspended phyto) are required if the system lacks natural particulates.
Compatibility
Peaceful and entirely non-aggressive. Best housed with peaceful tank mates that do not outcompete it for food, such as small tetras, rasboras, Otocinclus and Corydoras; avoid large predatory species. Multiple individuals can be kept together with sufficient surface area.
Breeding
Reproduction in captivity has not been routinely achieved. Like many atyid shrimp the species likely has an amphidromous life cycle requiring brackish or marine water for larval development; almost all aquarium stock is wild-caught.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. The species has a wide distribution across two continents, although localised over-collection for the ornamental trade has been documented.