Vampire shrimp (Atya gabonensis) | Care & info

Their name might sound intimidating, but vampire shrimp are actually extremely peaceful creatures. They are filter feeders that use small fans to catch food particles, which makes them one of the most fascinating shrimp species out there but also not the easiest to keep alive and thriving.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about vampire shrimp care and keeping Atya gabonensis in your own aquarium!

Vampire shrimp requirements

The most important thing to keep in mind when figuring out vampire shrimp care and requirements is the fact that these are shy filter feeders. They need access to floating particles, as regular shrimp foods are too large for their fans. They also prefer to spend a large portion of their time in hiding, especially during the day.

So how do you set up your aquarium in such a way that allows your Atya gabonensis to stay well-fed and happy? First off, size is important. With an adult size of up to 6 inches, these shrimp are rather large and they need plenty of room. Go for at least a 20 gallon aquarium; larger is better. A strong filter or even an extra powerhead is a good idea, as the strong flow blows particles around the tank and allows your vampire shrimp to catch them.

Because vampire shrimp love plenty of cover, make sure your tank is heavily decorated with lots of plants, caves and hides. A sand substrate seems preferable, as gravel can damage their delicate fans.

Water quality

Although vampire shrimp obviously aren't a fan of very clear and clean water, this doesn't mean they don't need high water quality. As with all shrimp and fish, your aquarium should always be fully cycled before you even consider adding livestock. Ammonia and nitrites should always be at 0 and nitrates should be kept under 20 by doing regular water changes.

Relatively hard water seems preferable, although few sources report exact water values beyond just the pH value.

pH: 6.5-7.8

Temperature: 75-85 °F

Tankmates

Vampire shrimp are large enough to be left alone by most fish and have a very peaceful temperament, which means there are some options when it comes to tankmates. Do choose wisely, though, as they are shy and don't like to be bothered.

Small, peaceful fish and inverts are probably your best options. Other shrimp are an especially good option: your Atya gabonensis will love to forage alongside the similar bamboo shrimp, which are also filter feeders. Amano shrimp, dwarf shrimp and snails should also work well.

Vampire shrimp diet

With picky eaters like these, it's very important to pay close attention to their diet. As discussed earlier, it's important to provide a large tank with strong water flow so your vampire shrimp have access to plenty of yummy particles.

There are a few ways to keep your Atya gabonensis well-fed; a combination of these is probably ideal. First off, regularly give your filter sponge a good squeeze inside the tank. This is normally a big no, but vampire shrimp will love to feed on the gunk that is released. Second, try to find some (algae) tabs that dissolve quickly. This is also normally considered a nuisance, as it deposits dust everywhere, but fan shrimp will flock towards the particle cloud.

A third food option would be baby shrimp food, or any other tiny food options you can find. Release the food near your vampire shrimp and they'll happily gobble it up!

Breeding vampire shrimp

As with many other shrimp species, like Amano shrimp, breeding Atya gabonensis is quite the challenge. They hatch in salt water, pass through a larval stage and gradually need to be switched to fresh water. Any mistakes can quickly cause all of the young shrimp to die off, but if you're up for a challenge: it has been done.

If you'd like to know more about breeding vampire shrimp, this breeding report might prove helpful.

Frequently asked questions

Buying vampire shrimp

Vampire shrimp aren't the most common shrimp out there. They aren't even the most common fan shrimp: bamboo shrimp seem to be more widely spread in the hobby. If your local aquarium store doesn't carry Atya gabonensis, try asking them to order a few for you or search for a seller online.