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Vampire shrimp (Atya gabonensis)
Photo: Citron · CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Vampire shrimp

Atya gabonensis · Atyidae

Also known as Fan shrimp, Cameroon fan shrimp

Advanced

A big filter-feeding shrimp that fans the current for food; needs flow, not a bare nano tank.

Minimum tank
110 L
Temperature
23–29 °C
pH
6.5–7.8
Adult size
15 cm
Group size
2+
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Care requirements
Minimum tank volume
110 L
Temperature
23–29 °C
pH
6.5–7.8
Hardness
6–20 dGH
Lifespan
4–6 years
Diet
Filter feeder — powdered food, crushed flake and biofilm suspended in the current.
Care level
Advanced
Origin & habitat
Native region
West African and northern South American rivers
Water type
Freshwater
Biotope
Fast rocky river channels
Natural conditions
Strong flow, hard water, no copper, plenty of perches.
Behaviour & stocking
Temperament
Peaceful
Minimum group
2 fish
Swims
Bottom
Good tank mates
Peaceful mid-water fish
Corydoras
Avoid
Copper medication
Aggressive fish
Still water
Breeding & difficulty
Breeding difficulty
Advanced
Sexing
Males have thicker front legs.
Notes
Larvae need brackish water; not bred at home.
Common ailments
Starvation without suspended food
Failed moults
Copper poisoning

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