Moderate

Vampire Shrimp

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Atya gabonensis

Complete Vampire Shrimp care guide covering filter feeder diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 20 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Moderate.

Vampire Shrimp

Quick Answer

Vampire Shrimp (Atya gabonensis) is a large, peaceful filter-feeding shrimp. It requires a minimum 20 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.5 - 7.5 and temperature range of 24-28°C. This filter feeder occupies the bottom zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Vampire Shrimp (Atya gabonensis) is a large, peaceful filter-feeding shrimp. It uses fan-like appendages to catch plankton and small particles from the water.

Setup

A 20-gallon or larger tank with moderate water flow (to carry food particles) and plenty of hiding spots (caves, driftwood). Fine sand substrate.

Feeding

Filter feeder; needs suspended foods: powdered spirulina, crushed flakes, bacter AE, or liquid fry foods. Do not rely on leftover food.

Compatibility

Very peaceful. Keep singly or in small groups. Good with small, non-aggressive fish: rasboras, small tetras, Corydoras. Avoid fish that will outcompete or eat them.

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Tank Position
Bottom
Water Temp
24-28°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.5 - 7.5

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Filter Feeder
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Leaf Fish Care Guide: Diet & Tank Mates semanticSimilarity Angelfish Care Guide: Tank Size & Diet | The Aquarium Calculators semanticSimilarity Badis Care Guide: Tank Size & Compatibility semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Vampire Shrimp should be kept together?
Keep 1 to 3 individuals in an established tank of at least 15 gallons (57 liters) with a footprint of 24x12 inches (60x30 cm). Vampire shrimp (Atya gabonensis) use fan-like appendages to filter food from the water current and are entirely peaceful. Groups of 3+ display fanning behavior together. Provide a strong water flow (powerhead or canister outflow) directed across their perching spot. Give them driftwood or rocks with direct current. Avoid with aggressive fish that may pick at them.
What are the exact water parameters for Vampire Shrimp?
Target pH 6.5 - 7.5, General Hardness 4 - 10 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 3 - 8 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 100 - 250 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 200 - 500 μS/cm, and temperature 72°F - 82°F (22°C - 28°C). They require moderate mineral hardness parameters to support healthy molting cycles (calcium 40-80 ppm). Maintain nitrates below 15 ppm with weekly 20% water changes. Use a sponge or canister filter with moderate flow. Provide a strong current area for filter feeding. Avoid copper.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Vampire Shrimp?
They are filter feeders requiring suspended particles. Provide powdered invertebrate foods, crushed spirulina, baby brine shrimp, and liquid fry foods daily. Ensure adequate water flow (10x turnover) to suspend particles. They also graze on biofilm. Medication alert: Extremely sensitive to copper (0.01 mg/L lethal) and all heavy metals. Never use copper-based medications. Praziquantel is unsafe. Avoid formalin and malachite green. Quarantine with careful acclimation only.
How to breed Vampire Shrimp in captivity?
Breeding is virtually impossible in home aquariums. They produce marine larvae that require brackish/saltwater and specialized planktonic feeding. In freshwater, eggs do not hatch. Females carry 1,000-10,000 eggs under abdomen for 4-5 weeks, but larvae die within days. Not recommended for breeding attempts. Focus on maintaining healthy adults.

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