TankBud

Vampire shrimp

Atya gabonensis

Also known as Giant Blue Wood Shrimp

FreshwaterShrimp

Vampire shrimp (Atya gabonensis)
Citron · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Adult size
5.1 in
13 cm
Minimum tank
20 gal
75 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Filter feeder
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Atyidae
Origin
West Africa

Overview

The vampire shrimp is a large, peaceful filter feeder for a tank with strong current. It is best with a little experience.

Did you know

A vampire shrimp can shift color from pale tan to a deep blue-gray after a molt. That fools some buyers into thinking they are different species. Despite the name, it has no interest in blood.

Caring for the vampire shrimp

Keep vampire shrimp in a tank of 20 gal (75 L) or more, which suits their size. Give them strong, steady flow from a filter or powerhead, with open water they can face into. Smooth stones and driftwood give them places to grip and hide under. Good current and hiding spots matter far more to them than plants or bright light.

Keep the water warm, at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C), with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. It should be clean, stable and rich in oxygen. Keep copper out, as it kills shrimp.

Vampire shrimp are filter feeders that fan the current with feathery front limbs to catch drifting food. In a clean tank, feed powdered or crushed foods into the current so the fans have something to strain.

They are shy and mostly nocturnal, spending the day tucked under wood or rock and coming out to feed in the flow. They hide away completely while molting, and they eat the shed shell to recover the minerals. They bother no one and can share a tank with calm fish or live in a small group.

Breeding them at home is hard. The female releases free-swimming larvae that need brackish or salt water before they return to fresh water as juveniles. That cycle is almost impossible to complete in a tank, so stock is wild-caught.

Good to know

The vampire shrimp, Atya gabonensis, is one of the largest filter shrimp in the family Atyidae. Its bulky body runs from tan to steel blue. It is also sold as the giant blue wood shrimp.

In the wild

Vampire shrimp come from fast, well-oxygenated rivers and streams in West Africa. There they wedge among rocks in the current, with their fans spread to feed.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The vampire shrimp is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a vampire shrimp need?

A vampire shrimp needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a vampire shrimp need?

A vampire shrimp is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

What does a vampire shrimp eat?

A vampire shrimp strains drifting food from the current with its feathery front limbs. In a clean tank, feed it powdered or crushed foods into the flow.

How big does a vampire shrimp get?

An adult vampire shrimp reaches about 5.1 in (13 cm).

How does a vampire shrimp breed?

A female vampire shrimp releases free-swimming larvae that need brackish or salt water to develop. That cycle is almost impossible to complete in a tank, so breeding is hard and stock is wild-caught.

Related species