Effective Algae Eating Shrimp in Fish Tank: Vampire Shrimp

Effective Algae Eating Shrimp in Fish Tank: Vampire Shrimp – Vampire Shrimp, Atya gabonensis, also known as African Filter Shrimp, Giant African Fan Shrimp, African Fan Shrimp, Giant African Filter Shrimp, Gabon Shrimp, or Viper Shrimp, are natives of parts of Western Africa and parts of South America. Vampire Shrimp are fan feeders that snatch their food from the water current in the tank with their little fanned hands.

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Effective Algae Eating Shrimp in Fish Tank: Vampire Shrimp

Vampire Shrimp are peaceful on the shy side and they like small places to hide. At precisely the same time, Vampire Shrimp seems to be very social with other filter shrimp. They appear to be rather secure hanging out with other freshwater shrimp, particularly Bamboo Shrimp in the water current.

We had no idea they were filter feeders (such as the Flower Shrimp) and wouldn't damage a water flea. Now that we've seen more and more of them, we understand the little rascals a lot better. We do have to acknowledge that "vampire shrimp" sounds much hotter than "African filter shrimp." But if you treat your vampire shrimp precisely like a Bloom Shrimp, you will do just fine.

This shrimp inhabits rocky streams along the west shore of Africa, from Senegal to Gabon. Additionally it is recorded from the east coast of South America; these populations may represent a different species and nonetheless, the genus isn't well analyzed. Their natural history isn't well-recorded.

Serving Diet

Vampire Shrimp food consists mainly of edible plant matter in the water, bits of otherwise uneaten fish food, and probably miniature microorganisms that are edible floating in the tank that are too small to be viewed.

In addition to this, it’s also recommended to supplement their diet with small flakes, shrimp pellets, algae wafers that are finely ground, or food composed of finely ground fish pellets. A pinch or two in the time will cause the food particles hit on the shrimp square in its filter fans. After several tries, it’s simple to get the hang of it.

Coloration

Colouring of the species can fluctuate from a creamy white to an almost rusty brown, and also a deep blue. It truly is thought the water conditions will change colouring and harder water causes the blue morph. These shrimp have been known to change colouring many times in exactly the same year.

Company

Best kept in community tanks with slightly larger fish or like size tetra. Should not be kept with extremely aggressive fish or cichlids. Will not harm community tank members. Dwarf shrimp may also be placed with this species.

Harmonious Species

African fan shrimp do exceedingly well in same-species groups; I also have kept them with Atyopsis moluccensis Singapore wood shrimp, Japanese marsh shrimp, Caridina japonica and cherry shrimp, Neocardina denticulate. Little, peaceful community fish such as guppies, zebra danios, barbs that are cherry and so forth are also excellent, but please see the feeding warnings previously.

Life Span

Vampire Shrimp lifespan changes, but some can live a long time. I've had some that lived for three years and I’ve heard stories five years, where some have been shoving. If a tank is stable and healthy and the shrimp is well fed and cared for, he (or she) should last a pretty very long time.

Nevertheless, its not unusual for Vampire Shrimp to die soon after being added to a tank. Or it could also be because of the pressure of being transported, or just the condition of the shrimp. Either way, the possibility is worth a mention.

Mating

As is the case with the majority of filter feeding shrimp, breeding is extremely rare in captivity. Most are caught. They'll establish a land in a cavern or another darkened place if you can get them to breed. They're egglayers so look closely throughout the tank.