{"product_id":"vampire-shrimp-atya-gabonensis","title":"Vampire Shrimp (Atya gabonensis)","description":"\u003ch1\u003eVampire Shrimp (Atya gabonensis)\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVampire Shrimp are an impressive and unusual freshwater shrimp species, scientifically known as Atya gabonensis. Also commonly called Giant Fan Shrimp, African Fan Shrimp or Armoured Shrimp, these fascinating filter-feeding shrimp are known for their large size, heavily built appearance and distinctive fan-shaped feeding appendages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite their intimidating name and heavily armoured appearance, Vampire Shrimp are peaceful and completely non-aggressive. Rather than using claws to catch food, they position themselves in areas of flowing water and extend specialised fans to collect tiny suspended food particles from the water column.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir colouration can vary considerably between individuals and may include blue-grey, slate blue, brown, cream and reddish tones. Mature specimens can become particularly impressive centrepieces in peaceful planted and community aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVampire Shrimp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGiant Fan Shrimp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArmoured Shrimp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAfrican Fan Shrimp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAtya gabonensis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColour Variant:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVariable blue-grey, slate blue, brown, cream and reddish colouration\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eColour can vary between individual shrimp and may change depending on age, environment, diet and aquarium conditions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDistinctive heavily armoured body with large fan-shaped feeding appendages\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdult size: ~10–15cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSold by us size: 4-7cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAround 5 years+ with proper care\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVampire Shrimp Water Parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShrimp are very sensitive to water quality and must only be added to fully cycled, mature aquariums to ensure survival.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTemperature: 23–28°C \/ 73–82°F\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003epH: 6.5–8\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGH: 6–15\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKH: 2–10\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTDS: 150–300 ppm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMinimum 60 litres, although larger, mature aquariums are strongly recommended due to the adult size of Vampire Shrimp and their specialised filter-feeding requirements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA good flow of water is particularly important, as Vampire Shrimp naturally position themselves in areas of current where they can filter suspended food particles from the water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBehaviour and Temperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and completely non-aggressive\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFilter feeders that use specialised fans to collect microscopic food particles from the water column\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOften position themselves on wood, rocks or other elevated surfaces facing into the aquarium's water flow\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGenerally more active and confident once established in a suitable aquarium\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuitable with peaceful community fish, shrimp and other non-aggressive aquarium inhabitants\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvide caves, wood and shaded hiding places where they can retreat, particularly during moulting\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVampire Shrimp are specialised filter feeders and require fine food particles suspended within the water column.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe recommend \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.horizonaquatics.co.uk\/products\/shimp-pro-bambino-boost\" title=\"bambino boost for filter shrimp\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShrimp Pro Bambino Boost\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e as an excellent food for Vampire Shrimp. Its fine powdered consistency allows particles to disperse throughout the aquarium and into the water flow, where they can be captured by the shrimp's feeding fans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmall amounts can be mixed with aquarium water before being introduced upstream from the shrimp's preferred feeding position. This allows the food to travel naturally through the current towards the shrimp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVampire Shrimp may also consume naturally occurring microorganisms, fine organic particles, powdered shrimp foods and other suitable microscopic foods suspended within the aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRegular targeted feeding is particularly important in very clean aquariums where there may not be enough naturally suspended food available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid overfeeding, as excessive powdered food can negatively affect water quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe feed our shrimp in store using the Shrimp Pro Foods range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVampire Shrimp are extremely difficult to breed successfully in home aquariums\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough adults live in freshwater, their larvae require specialised conditions during development\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey should not be expected to reproduce successfully in a standard freshwater aquarium\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDelivery \u0026amp; Customer Responsibility\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease read before ordering.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable Tank Conditions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is the buyer's responsibility to ensure that their aquarium is fully cycled and that water parameters are suitable for the species purchased before placing an order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe cannot accept liability for losses resulting from unsuitable tank conditions, incorrect water parameters, or improper acclimation. Shrimp are sensitive invertebrates and require stable, appropriate environments to thrive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col start=\"2\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDispatch \u0026amp; Delivery Schedule\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll shrimp and snails are dispatched on Mondays only for Tuesday delivery (pre-1pm service) to minimise time in transit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease ensure someone is available to receive the delivery. Prompt acceptance of live animals significantly improves survival rates and reduces stress.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe cannot accept responsibility for delays, missed deliveries, or losses where no one is available to receive the parcel on the scheduled delivery day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrders placed after 11am on a Monday will be dispatched the following Monday.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col start=\"3\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTracking Information\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTracking numbers are not issued automatically.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf required, tracking details can be requested by phone or email after 1pm on Monday, once shipments have been processed and collected.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col start=\"4\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDead on Arrival (DOA) Policy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the rare event of a shrimp or snail arriving deceased, this must be reported within 24 hours of delivery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClear photographic evidence must be provided showing the deceased livestock inside the original, unopened bag. This is required for us to assess and process any claim.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReports made after 24 hours, or without photographic proof in the unopened bag, cannot be considered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWe only deliver livestock on a Tuesday – order before 11am on Monday.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease research before purchasing live livestock.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"horizon aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58422765322614,"sku":null,"price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0266\/5843\/9225\/files\/20260808_170622.jpg?v=1786205557","url":"https:\/\/www.horizonaquatics.co.uk\/products\/vampire-shrimp-atya-gabonensis","provider":"horizon aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}