[Betta132]

What can you peoples tell me about viper shrimp? This is what I've found in my poking around:
They can get up to 6" long and live for a long time.
They are filter feeders, but will scavenge off the bottom.
Despite the name, even tiny fish are in no danger around them. They are only capable of catching fry-sized ones.
They need heavily planted tanks.
Are they picky about water conditions? Do they have any wonky needs, like maybe an hour outside on a full moon? Overall, how easy are they to care for? Are they 'get them happy and they're rock-solid' or 'nit-pickier than discus'?

 

[Bruce_S]

That sounds like "vampire shrimp". Atya gabonensis, I think?

I've never kept them, but I would imagine they're somewhat similar to bamboo shrimp, though larger. IIRC, they're one of the shrimps that require salt water for their larvae...

~Bruce

 

[Betta132]

I'm not planning on breeding them, just want to try keeping one. They're expensive, so I want to make sure I know how to care for it.

 

[Monster Fish]

They have similar care to bamboo shrimp. They must have a well established, mature tank with lots of mulm and microfauna. Also, some flow in the tank to get food. The tank mates must be peaceful: No cichlids, crayfish, or anything that might think the shrimp is food.

 

[Betta132]

'Mulm' is the leaf litter stuff that collects after a while, right? I'm planning on using a dirt substrate, possibly with some oak leaves, so there should be enough critters. And the bamboo shrimp I used to have seemed to enjoy scavenging for frozen food. (if you're wondering, it went floor surfing)

 

[WestHaven]

'Mulm' is the leaf litter stuff that collects after a while, right? I'm planning on using a dirt substrate, possibly with some oak leaves, so there should be enough critters. And the bamboo shrimp I used to have seemed to enjoy scavenging for frozen food. (if you're wondering, it went floor surfing)

Mulm is a collection of fish waste and decaying material that accumulates on the hard surfaces in a tank (wood, rocks, plants).

 

[Hmoobthor]

I purchase two small one from a online store in oregon... their fan were all bang up which increase their risk of death....out of the two...none survive ..

One would live 3 weeks and then die.....a month later the other one pass away. My tank is planted and well mature with strong spray bar.

I ask my local fish store to order some for me... somehow they were able too (surprise..walkk in there and saw them week later)

I decide not to buy them at first cause they just got them in not long enough...i wait for maybe 2-3 weeks?... this unsure that they are able to live in the local tap water and that the weak one (with fan damage) have pass on and that the strong one with good fan did indeed make it...this also goes for bamboo shrimp too.

After that, I finally bought a large one....till today (2-3 months) later it has been hiding under my driftwood, fanning and haven't come out at all. ( i find bamboo shrimp to be less shy, they don't give a dam..alway out in the open)

They are very very shy and once they find their favor spot, they ain't coming out!! DO NOT move any decor or plants once they do that, you will cause them to be stress.

Till tis day, i await the day he will come out and explore.

As for feeding, I bought some spirullna pellet for the fish and it spread around the tank and the shrimp fan for it...keeping it alive.

 

[Betta132]

So they tend to be really shy? I remember the bamboo shrimp I used to have was pretty shy until I added more plants.

 

[Hmoobthor]

So they tend to be really shy? I remember the bamboo shrimp I used to have was pretty shy until I added more plants.

they are very [email protected]@ expect to see them hiding all the time.

bamboo..once they settle for a day or two, they are out and about...

Maybe that is why the are refer to as "vampire"....hide in the dark most of the time

 

[Betta132]

Hmm... I might just get a couple of bamboos instead... Are there any other large, peaceful shrimp that are nice and bold?

 

[Hmoobthor]

Hmm... I might just get a couple of bamboos instead... Are there any other large, peaceful shrimp that are nice and bold?

only one I know is amanos?

 

[Rev_jim_jones]

I have quite a few Vampire Shrimp. In general they are Shy when there is other livestock (fish) in the tank. Not always True I have one right now that hangs out with the Bamboo Shrimp in the open. But it is abnormal the other 4 have found spots on my driftwood where there is a current and only come out at night to sit in a more forceful current.
They seem to be more delicate than Bamboo shrimp.