Vampire shrimp care: tank size, flow, feeding and tank mates
The vampire shrimp has the scariest name in the hobby and one of the gentlest natures. It is a large, bluish-grey fan shrimp that sits in the current and combs food out of the water with its fan-like hands. Practical Fishkeeping notes the name is simply what some retailers call it; it is also sold as the African fan shrimp, blue fan shrimp, viper shrimp or Gabon shrimp. Like the bamboo shrimp, it is a filter feeder, and feeding is what decides whether it does well.
Vampire shrimp at a glance
| Trait | Vampire shrimp |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Atya gabonensis Giebel, 1875 |
| Other names | African fan shrimp, African filter shrimp, blue fan shrimp, viper shrimp, Gabon shrimp |
| Size | Up to about 15 cm (6 in) |
| Origin | Fast, well-oxygenated rocky rivers in West Africa (Senegal to the Democratic Republic of the Congo) and northern South America (Venezuela to Brazil) |
| Tank size | At least 20 gallons (76 L) for one, bigger for more |
| Temperature | 75–84 °F (24–29 °C) |
| Water | pH 6.5–7.5, KH 3–10 |
| Diet | Filter feeder: fine powdered foods, baby fish foods, filter-feeder foods |
| Temperament | Peaceful and shy; most active from dusk |
| Lifespan | Often around 3 years, up to 5 in very good conditions |
| Breeding in a home tank | Very difficult; larvae need brackish or salt water |
Tank size, flow and layout
In the wild, vampire shrimp anchor themselves on rocky bottoms in fast water and filter food from the current, hiding under logs and rocks by day, according to Aquariadise. A home tank should copy that:
- Space. Aquariadise recommends a minimum of 20 gallons (75.7 L) for one, with more room for more.
- Current. A powerhead is strongly recommended to recreate river flow and keep food moving past the shrimp, but not one so strong it pushes the shrimp off its perch. Practical Fishkeeping says fan shrimps like clean, well-oxygenated water with a good, strong current; an air pump adds oxygen. See air pumps for shrimp tanks.
- Perches. Larger rocks or wood placed in the main current give the shrimp a feeding spot; see driftwood and botanicals.
- Caves. Vampire shrimp spend much of the day hidden and hide after molting, so give them caves and overhangs.
- Soft substrate. Aquariadise suggests sand as a safer choice than gravel, which could damage the fans; see shrimp substrate.
- A mature tank. Aquariadise notes a fan shrimp appreciates a little "dirt and grime" in the water to feed on, so a well-established tank suits it better than a brand-new, spotless one; see how to cycle a shrimp tank.
Strong flow can pull small shrimp into an open intake, so cover it with a sponge if the tank also has dwarf shrimp; see shrimp-safe filters.
Water parameters
Aquariadise lists 75–84 °F (24–29 °C), pH 6.5–7.5 and KH 3–10, with weekly or biweekly water changes using water matched to the tank's temperature and pH. Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero; Practical Fishkeeping stresses clean water for fan shrimps. See shrimp water parameters, heaters and ammonia and nitrite.
Feeding: how to keep a vampire shrimp from starving
Practical Fishkeeping says starvation is common in captive fan shrimps. Vampire shrimp are adapted to catch plankton, so they are poor at competing for food on the tank floor. They can pick food off the substrate when they need to, but only slowly.
- What to feed: filter-feeder foods (such as those sold for reef tanks) or suspensions of baby fish food, per Practical Fishkeeping. Aquariadise adds finely ground fish, shrimp and algae pellets or flakes. See shrimp foods.
- How to feed: mix a little food with tank water and release it into the current just upstream of the shrimp with a pipette or turkey baster, so it drifts into the fans.
- Minerals for molting: Practical Fishkeeping says a vampire shrimp needs calcium for its shell and some iodine for successful molting, and that foods made for pet crustaceans cover both. Keep GH in a sensible range too; see shrimp GH and KH.
- The filter-sponge trick: Aquariadise notes keepers sometimes squeeze a filter pad into the flow so the shrimp can catch the particles. Don't release too much detritus, or you risk an algae bloom and worse water.
- Not an algae eater. Aquariadise says vampire shrimp don't graze algae like other clean-up crew. Add Amano shrimp if you want that job done.
The warning sign: a fan shrimp that spends its time sweeping the bottom with its fans, instead of sitting in the current, is usually not getting enough suspended food. Feed the water column more.
Molting and color changes
Aquariadise says vampire shrimp molt about every 4 to 6 weeks and hide for a few days afterwards while the new shell hardens. Right after a molt they can look white or pale blue, and they tend to darken with age, sometimes to almost black. A cast-off shell can look so much like a dead shrimp that keepers panic; net it and look: an empty shell is a molt. Leave molts in the tank for the shrimp to pick at. See how often shrimp molt and shrimp dying after molting.
Behavior: why your vampire shrimp is hiding
Vampire shrimp are shy. Aquariadise says they usually pick a "home" cave, stay in it much of the day and come out to feed as the lights go down, and that rearranging the decor can stress them. Newly added shrimp may vanish for a while, which is normal. Aquariadise also notes it's common for these shrimp to die in their first month or two, mostly from the stress of new water and conditions, so acclimate slowly; see how to drip acclimate shrimp and why shrimp hide.
Tank mates
- Good choices: other vampire shrimp, bamboo shrimp, cherry shrimp and Amano shrimp, plus peaceful fish such as tetras, platies and rasboras (Aquariadise). Practical Fishkeeping says fan shrimps could also work with angelfish or gouramis if they get enough to eat.
- Avoid: any fish big enough to fit the shrimp in its mouth, and boisterous or very active fish that keep it in hiding.
- Bottom dwellers: Practical Fishkeeping saw no particular concern in keeping one with a peaceful, sand-sifting whiptail catfish, since they feed in different ways.
See shrimp tank mates for more on mixing shrimp and fish.
Medications to avoid
Practical Fishkeeping says copper- and formalin-based medications are lethal to shrimps; move the shrimp to a hospital tank before treating fish. See is copper toxic to shrimp and is aquarium salt safe for shrimp.
Breeding
Like Amano and bamboo shrimp, vampire shrimp have larvae that hatch into brackish or salt water and later return to fresh water, so they are very difficult to breed at home, according to Aquariadise. A vampire shrimp won't multiply in your tank.
Vampire shrimp vs bamboo shrimp
| Vampire shrimp | Bamboo shrimp | |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Atya gabonensis | Atyopsis moluccensis |
| Origin | West Africa and northern South America | Southeast Asia |
| Size | Up to about 15 cm (6 in) | Usually up to about 8 cm (3.1 in) |
| Color | Bluish-grey, darkening with age | Never blue, per Aquariadise |
| Care | Much the same: strong flow, perches, mature water and target feeding | |
Sizes are from Practical Fishkeeping; see our bamboo shrimp care guide for the Asian species.
Buying a vampire shrimp
Aquariadise says they aren't common in stores and may be listed online as viper shrimp. Pick one that looks active and healthy and isn't too dark, which can mean an older animal.
Track it
Log temperature, ammonia and nitrite on the free Water Parameter Log printable, and note when you target-feed and when you see a molt.
Frequently asked questions
How big do vampire shrimp get?
Up to about 15 cm (6 in), according to Practical Fishkeeping and Aquariadise, which makes them roughly twice the length of a bamboo shrimp.
What size tank does a vampire shrimp need?
Aquariadise recommends at least 20 gallons (76 L) for one vampire shrimp, with more room for more, plus strong flow, perches and caves.
What do vampire shrimp eat?
They filter fine particles from the water. Target-feed filter-feeder food, baby fish food or finely ground pellets into the current near the shrimp, and include crustacean foods with calcium and iodine.
Are vampire shrimp aggressive?
No. Despite the name they are peaceful, shy filter feeders that ignore other shrimp and fish.
Why is my vampire shrimp always hiding?
They are shy, pick a home cave and are most active from dusk. New shrimp and freshly molted shrimp hide more. Avoid rearranging the tank.
How long do vampire shrimp live?
Aquariadise says commonly around 3 years and up to 5 in very good conditions.
Can vampire shrimp live with cherry shrimp?
Yes. Aquariadise lists cherry shrimp among good tank mates. Cover filter intakes so the strong flow doesn't trap small shrimp.
Can you breed vampire shrimp at home?
It is very difficult. Their larvae need brackish or salt water before returning to fresh water, according to Aquariadise.
Sources: Aquariadise, Care sheet: vampire shrimp (Atya gabonensis) (other names; West Africa from Senegal to the DR Congo and South America from Venezuela to Brazil; fast, highly oxygenated, rocky water; hides by day, feeds from dusk; lifespan up to 5 years, more commonly 3; deaths common in the first month or two from stress; up to about 6 in / 15 cm; bluish-grey, darker with age, white or light blue after molting; molts every 4–6 weeks, hides for a few days; molt vs dead shrimp; at least 20 gallons / 75.7 L; powerhead and air pump; some dirt and grime appreciated; sand safer than gravel; rocks as perches; 75–84 °F, pH 6.5–7.5, KH 3–10; weekly or biweekly water changes; tank mates other vampires, bamboo, cherry and Amano shrimp, tetras, platies, rasboras, angelfish; home cave, avoid rearranging; omnivore, picky; squeezing a filter pad; ground pellets or flakes; not an algae eater; larvae need brackish or salt water; hard to find, sold as viper shrimp, avoid very dark animals); Practical Fishkeeping, Are there any shrimps my fish won't eat? (two traded fan shrimps; Atya gabonensis called vampire shrimp by some retailers; filter feeders, starvation common in captivity; baby fish and reef invertebrate foods; shy; clean, well-oxygenated water with strong current; could work with angels or gouramis if well fed; copper and formalin lethal, use a hospital tank); Practical Fishkeeping (Neale Monks), Will this shrimp be okay with my catfish? (also called blue fan shrimp; orients into the current; struggles to compete for food on the ground and feeds from the substrate slowly; filter-feeder or baby fish food directed into the fans with a turkey baster; needs calcium and some iodine for molting; crustacean foods; compatible with a whiptail catfish); Practical Fishkeeping, Fans of flow: keeping bamboo shrimp (Atya gabonensis up to 15 cm; bamboo shrimp usually up to 8 cm); ITIS, Atya gabonensis Giebel, 1875 (TSN 97273) (scientific name and authority). The intake-sponge tip and the hungry-shrimp sign are from our bamboo shrimp guide.