Atya gabonensis

Cet article a été publié par Logow le Mardi 2 décembre 2008 à 21:50.

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Wrote by Tipic, translated by Logow

Atya gabonensis

Giebel, 1875

Synonyms :

Euatya sculptilis Koelbel, 1884
Atya sculptata Ortman
Atya scabra (Rathburn, 1900)

See taxonomy

Common names:

Gabun-Riesenfächergarnele
Blaue Monstergarnele
Giant Blue
Crevette bleue du Gabon
Cameroon Armoured Shrimp
African Giant shrimp

Origin : West Africa (Senegal to Zaire, the specimen on the picture was imported from Nigeria), North of South America (Venezuela, Surinam, Brasil)

Water specifications :

pH : 6 to 8
GH : 6 to 20
Temperature : 26 to 30°C / 78.8 to 86°F

Size :

Male : 14cm
Female : 14cm

Description : Characteristic shape of the shrimp belonging to the Atya genus, medium length rostrum. Eye socket is topped with a very identifiable spike. The background colouration is blue or grey and even sometimes white (this often meaning that moulting is close). The first and the second pair of periopods are mounted with fine hairs that the shrimp can open like fans to filter micro-particles floating in the water. The third pair of periopods are very developed and massive, at the end we can notice a big claw that the Atya gabonensis uses to hold onto rocks that form their natural habitat. This specie favours water with very strong currents.

Behaviour : Excellent gregarious specie it must absolutely live in groups of 4 individuals of the same specie no less. Considering the massive size of this shrimp they must dispose of a vast habitat. Cohabitation with small fish species isn’t problematic.

Life span : > to 2 years

Feeding habits : Filters water to capture decaying matter floating in the water.

Sexual dismorphism : The third pair of periopods in the male are much more important than in the female.

Reproduction : Reproduction is of indirect type, development goes through a planctonic stage in salt water. There is no description to our knowledge of their reproductive cycle in their natural habitat. Up to now there is no report of successful breeding in captivity.

Specificity : This timid shrimp will not hesitate to hide under a log during the day and come out just before the lights go off and at night. After a few weeks or months of getting used to her environment, it will appear a bit more during the day time. It favours spots facing strong currents (the filter stream for instance) to be able to filter water with her fanned legs and collect micro-particles of food floating in the water.