African filter shrimp

Atya gabonensis

Family : Atyidae

InvertebrateFreshwatershrimp

Large African filter-feeding shrimp, peaceful, with fan-like legs, requires good current.

African filter shrimp — photo 1 sur 4 — Ray eye · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.01 / 4

Popularity

Freshwater shrimp

group keeping

Availability

Common in shops

Shop availability

IUCN Status

Not Evaluated

Biotope

West Africa

Rivières ouest-africaines : Niger, Congo, Cameroun.

Description

Atya gabonensis is a large filter-feeding shrimp, reaching up to 12 cm. It has long fan-like front legs to filter water. Its color is usually brown-grey with bluish hues. It is very peaceful and can coexist with non-aggressive fish. It spends time positioning itself in the current to feed. Growth is slow. It molts regularly.

Habitat

Region :

Moderate current rivers

Distribution :

Recommended parameters

Temperature24–28 °C

pH6.5–7.5

GH4–10 °dGH

KH3–8 °dKH

NO₃

≤ 20 mg/L

PO₄

≤ 2 mg/L

Care

Difficulty

3/5

Diet

Filter feeder

Min. tank

100 L

Min. group

Adult size

12 cm

Lifespan

3 years

Temperament

Peaceful

Propagation

Larval (difficult in aquarium)

Care notes

Temperature 24-28°C, pH 6.5-7.5, GH 4-10, KH 3-8. Moderate to strong current essential. Feed with micro-particles, powdered food. Minimum tank 100L. Group of 2+ possible. Compatible with peaceful fish. Sensitive to high nitrates. Avoid territorial fish.

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