Vampire shrimp care guide
Also called: African fan shrimp, African filter shrimp, Gabon shrimp, Viper shrimp, Blue rhino shrimp, Cameroon fan shrimp, African giant shrimp
The vampire shrimp is a large, peaceful African shrimp, about 4 inches (10 cm) long, that catches food from the current with fan-like hands. Despite its name it can't hurt anything, but it needs a mature tank, steady flow and fine powdered food.
Vampire shrimp need a tank of at least 20 gallons (76 L), and water at 24–28°C (75–82°F) with a pH of 6.5–7.5. They grow to about 10 cm (3.9 in) and are peaceful.
Plan a tank with vampire shrimpSee all tank mates
Vampire shrimp quick facts
| Scientific name | Atya gabonensis |
|---|---|
| Family | Atyidae |
| Origin | Rivers of West and Central Africa, from Senegal to the Congo (almost all are wild-caught) |
| Adult size | 10 cm (3.9 in) |
| Minimum tank | 20 gallons (76 L) |
| Temperature | 24–28°C (75–82°F) |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 |
| Hardness (GH) | 6–15 dGH |
| Group size | Can live alone |
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Bottom |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Care level | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 3–6 years |
| Safe with plants? | Yes |
Tank setup
Give one or a few shrimp at least 20 gallons (76 L) of mature, planted water. Add rocks, wood and caves big enough to hide the whole shrimp, since they hide by day and after molting. Any aquarium substrate works, though smooth sand or fine gravel is kindest when they sift it for food. Place a perch in a spot with moderate current where they can fan for food.
How many vampire shrimp in a tank?
The smallest common tank that suits vampire shrimp is a 20 gallon. Here is roughly how many fit in each size when they are the only fish, based on adult size and waste output. Leave room if you want tank mates.
| Tank | Vampire shrimp (alone) |
|---|---|
| 3 gallon | Too small |
| 5 gallon | Too small |
| 10 gallon | Too small |
| 15 gallon | Too small |
| 20 gallon | Up to 17 |
| 20 gallon long | Up to 17 |
| 29 gallon | Up to 24 |
| 40 gallon | Up to 34 |
| 55 gallon | Up to 47 |
| 75 gallon | Up to 64 |
| 125 gallon | Up to 107 |
What you need for vampire shrimp
Sized for a 20 gallon tank, the smallest common size that suits vampire shrimp. For a different tank or a mix of fish, use the stocking calculator for a list sized to your plan.
Tank and equipment
- 20 gallon aquarium (tank or kit) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Bigger tanks are more stable and easier for beginners. How to choose
- Aquarium stand for 20 gallons (opens Amazon in a new tab)The water alone weighs about 167 lb (76 kg), before glass, gravel and rock. How to choose
- Adjustable heater, 75 W (opens Amazon in a new tab)Holds about 79 °F (26 °C) in a room at 65 °F (18 °C). How to choose
- Aquarium thermometer (opens Amazon in a new tab)Check it daily: heaters can fail stuck on or off. How to choose
- Sponge filter for 30 gallons (opens Amazon in a new tab)Gentle flow, about 60–100 GPH, suits shrimp and snails, which prefer slow water. Needs a small air pump. How to choose
- About 35 lb of aquarium gravel (opens Amazon in a new tab)Enough for a layer about 2 in (5 cm) deep. Smooth gravel suits most community fish. How to choose
- Water conditioner (dechlorinator) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Removes chlorine and chloramine from tap water. Seachem Prime is a popular, concentrated choice. How to choose
- Liquid test kit (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Liquid kits are more accurate than strips. The API Freshwater Master Test Kit is the common choice. How to choose
- Gravel vacuum (siphon) (opens Amazon in a new tab)Cleans the gravel and does the water change in one go. How to choose
- LED aquarium light, about 24 in long (opens Amazon in a new tab)Match the light to the tank length. Basic LEDs grow easy plants. How to choose
Food and extras for vampire shrimp
- Shrimp food (opens Amazon in a new tab)Shrimp mostly graze, so feed lightly.
- Java moss or other live moss (opens Amazon in a new tab)Shrimp graze on the biofilm that grows on moss, and baby shrimp hide in it. How to choose
Product links go to Amazon search results. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure.
Water parameters
Keep them at 24–28 °C (75–82 °F), pH 6.5–7.5 and 6–15 dGH. They need well-oxygenated water with a steady current, so use a strong filter or a small powerhead. They are very sensitive to ammonia, nitrite and copper. Add them only to a fully cycled tank and acclimate them slowly.
Best tank mates for vampire shrimp
These popular species share vampire shrimp' water needs and temperament. See the full list of 60 good matches.
Cherry shrimp
3 cm (1.2 in) · 20–27°C (68–81°F)
Nerite snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Guppy
5 cm (2 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Bristlenose pleco
12 cm (4.7 in) · 22–26°C (72–79°F)
Bronze corydoras
7 cm (2.8 in) · 21–26°C (70–79°F)
Assassin snail
2.5 cm (1 in) · 22–27°C (72–81°F)
Ramshorn snail
2 cm (0.8 in) · 21–27°C (70–81°F)
African dwarf frog
3.5 cm (1.4 in) · 22–26°C (72–79°F)
Avoid keeping vampire shrimp with
- Common goldfish: They need different temperatures: Vampire shrimp 24–28°C (75–82°F), common goldfish 15–22°C (59–72°F).
- Fancy goldfish: They need different temperatures: Vampire shrimp 24–28°C (75–82°F), fancy goldfish 18–23°C (64–73°F).
- Dojo loach: They need different temperatures: Vampire shrimp 24–28°C (75–82°F), dojo loach 18–23°C (64–73°F).
- Pea puffer: Pea puffer is best kept in a species-only tank.
- White cloud mountain minnow: They need different temperatures: Vampire shrimp 24–28°C (75–82°F), white cloud mountain minnow 16–22°C (61–72°F).
Feeding
They filter tiny particles out of the current rather than grazing. Feed fine powdered foods, such as fry powder, spirulina or crushed flakes and pellets, a few times a week. Release the food upstream, near the filter outlet, so the current carries it to them. A shrimp that sifts the sand with its fans is often not getting enough food.
Behavior
Gentle and shy. They have no claws and never harm fish, shrimp or snails. They spend the day in a favourite cave and come out at dusk to feed. Moving their decor can stress them, so rearrange as little as possible. Keep them away from large or aggressive fish, crabs and crayfish, which can kill them after a molt.
Breeding
Breeding in a home aquarium is almost impossible. Females carry eggs in fresh water, but the larvae need brackish water to develop and must return to fresh water later. Almost all vampire shrimp for sale are collected from the wild.
Tips from experienced keepers
- Feed fine powdered food upstream of their perch so the current carries it to their fans.
- Keep copper out of the tank, including in medicines and some fertilizers.
- Don't rearrange caves and decor once the shrimp has picked a home.
- Colour can shift from cream to brown or blue over the year. That's normal, not a sign of illness.
- Drip acclimate over an hour or more. New, wild-caught shrimp are easily stressed.
Frequently asked questions
Are vampire shrimp dangerous to fish?
No. Despite the name and armored look, they have no claws and only eat tiny particles from the water. They are safe with fish, dwarf shrimp and snails.
Why is my vampire shrimp always hiding?
That's normal. They rest in caves by day and come out to feed at dusk or after lights out. They also hide for a few days after each molt.
What do vampire shrimp eat?
They filter tiny food particles from the current. In a tank, feed fine powdered foods such as spirulina or fry powder, plus crushed flakes, released where the current will carry them.
Sources
We checked these references when writing this page. Values are for healthy long-term keeping, not survival limits. Last reviewed 2026-10-13. See our editorial policy.