The Armoured Shrimp or Cameroon Shrimp looks fierce but is actually a gently giant filter feeder. It is fairly hardy and adaptable and will do well at most usual pH levels. It does grow quite large and so a spacious aquarium is essential.
They can be more territorial than the smaller shrimp species but, providing they have plenty of space it is possible to keep a number of specimens.
Species – Armoured/Vampire Shrimp - Atya gabonensis
Current Size – 3-4cm
Adult Length – 15cm
Temperature Range – 24 - 28°C
pH Range – 6.0 – 8.0
Special Requirements - They don’t really have any. They are adaptable and an ideal starter invertebrate
Tanks Mates and Compatibility – They are fairly robust but not recommended to be kept with aggressive and carnivorous tank mates. These shrimp can be kept safely with plants, although due to the water movement, hardier species should be chosen. Tankmates should be small and peaceful - avoid all pufferfish, large barbs, large aggressive botiid loaches, most cichlids etc.
Feeding – These shrimp filter micro-organisms from the water, along with tiny particles of fish food. The diet should be supplemented with tiny frozen foods such as cyclops, baby brineshrimp, daphnia, and microworm, along with regular feedings of zooplankton or phytoplankton, liquid fry foods, and ground-up flakes.
We recommend:
Please note – Some images used are library photos and will show the colour potential at a fully mature size, as our fish are juveniles they may vary.
We always aim to supply the fish as close to the purchase size as possible. On rare occasions if this is not possible we will contact you.
