Atya gabonensis

Introduction

Morphology

Behaviour & Life cycle

• Sociability
  living in colonies
• territorial
  No
• Venomous
  No
• Way of living
  nocturnal

Reproduction

• Migratory species
  Yes

Harmless species

Conservation status of populations (IUCN)

Natural environment characteristics

• Temperature
  24 - 30 °C
• pH (acidity)
  6.2 - 7.5
• gh (hardness)
  3 - 12
• Flow
  Strong

Biotope presentation

Deontology

Respect for wildlife

In order to preserve wildlife, if you acquire this animal, it must not be released into the wild. See also, the Fishipedia charter.

Fishipedia supports the practice of responsible and environmentally friendly aquarium keeping. We encourage maintenance if it is motivated by a desire to understand the biological functioning of living things and if it is done with respect for animal life.

We believe that aquaristics is an opening to the discovery of aquatic environments, especially freshwater, and that this knowledge is necessary to better protect and respect these environments. Logically, we refute the compulsive purchase of animals that would not find a sufficient and / or adapted place in the host aquarium.

Our recommendations

• Min volume
  140 liters
• Population min
  3
• Temperature
  24 - 30 °C
• pH (acidity)
  6.8 - 7.2

Characteristics

• Type of maintenance
  Aquarium
• Maintenance difficulty
  moderate
• Availability
  standard
• Behaviour
  peaceful
• Robustness
  robust
• Environment
  fresh water
• Breeding
  fresh water

General reminders

Before acquiring an animal

It is strongly advised to read the complete dedicated file and to get information on the feedbacks of maintenance of the envisaged animal, this to avoid any potential conflict whose end result is generally the death of the individual (or the other inhabitants). It is important not to overload your aquarium to limit pollution. This will make maintenance easier.

Freshwater conditions

In nature, animals are subject to weather conditions and live in waters with variable characteristics. The recommendations offered by our team for aquarium maintenance are a guidance and cannot be assimilated to scientific datas.

General reminder on maintenance datas

Setting up your aquarium

Le démarrage d'un aquarium est une partie primordiale pour l'équilibre et le bien-être des poissons. Lorsque l'on met en eau un aquarium, l'eau passe naturellement par un cycle biologique : le cycle de l'azote. Celui-ci dure environ trois semaines. Tous les 2 jours, nous vous conseillons de tester votre eau jusqu'à ce que le taux de nitrite soit à zéro pendant plusieurs jours d'affilée.

Pour accélérer ce cycle, vous pouvez utiliser un activateur de bactéries comme JBL Denitrol. Cette solution riche en bactéries vivantes et enzymes permet une mise en place rapide du cycle de l'azote. Les poissons peuvent alors être introduits plus rapidement.

Testing water parameters

Il est important de tester l'eau de son aquarium régulièrement pour maintenir un environnement sain pour les poissons et les autres habitants. Les tests d'eau permettent de mesurer les niveaux de différents paramètres tels que le pH, la dureté totale, ainsi que les taux de nitrates, de nitrites et d'ammoniaque.

Pour réaliser ces tests, vous pouvez utiliser des produits d'analyse spécialisés tels que JBL ProScan qui permet de réaliser un diagnostic de l'eau directement via un smartphone. Il existe également des coffrets de tests plus classiques de bandelettes, comme JBL PROAQUATEST.

Water changes

En cas d’usage de l’eau du robinet, vous pouvez utiliser un conditionneur d’eau de type Biotopol de JBL pour éliminer les substances nocives comme le chlore, le cuivre, le plomb et le zinc. Les conditionneurs d'eau garantissent une meilleure santé aux poissons et une meilleure croissance des plantes.

Precautions to be taken with chlorine

Chlorine and chloramine are dangerous for the health of animals. Used to disinfect water, these agents are present in significant quantities in tap water. We recommend using an anti-chlorine agent every time you change the water. In addition to chlorine, treatments and medicines sold for aquarium use sometimes contain dangerous heavy metals in high doses.

Specific needs for Atya gabonensis

Atya gabonensis is a species which lives naturally at a temperature between 24 °C and 30 °C. For proper maintenance, the temperature should never exceed the 33°C for long periods. Nitrate levels should remain below 50mg/L. To keep the water clean and unpolluted, plan on changing 20% to 30% of the water volume each month.

Maintenance difficulty

The breeding of this species is accessible on condition of being well informed about its needs in aquarium . Any cohabitants must be chosen with care to avoid the loss of animals.

Common species in aquarium keeping

This species is particularly common in the aquarium trade. Animals from long-term breeding are usually acclimatized at a temperature of about 26 °C in neutral water.

Precautions on copper

Copper is toxic to many invertebrates. Some fertilizers and aquarium foods contain copper sulfate and should be used with caution. Since Atya gabonensis are sensitive to copper, we do not recommend using these products in any form.

Cohabitation & Environment

Being a living in colonies crustacea, it is advisable to install at least 3 individuals in an aquarium of 140 liters minimum. The maintenance in groups allows to observe its natural behavior within the aquarium. Although sometimes certain groups can "merge", mixing several gregarious species living in the same zone of life is not recommended if the volume is not consequent.

Atya gabonensis is a peaceful species that generally does not exhibit behavioral problems in a community aquarium.

However, being opportunistic, this species should not cohabit with crustaceans or fish of similar or smaller size because they would in fact become potential prey. Sick species, territorial or sharing the same life zone as this crustacean are the subjects most at risk.

Due to their fragile state during moulting, all crustaceans need an environment provided with hiding places (roots, pebbles, leaves, plants, etc.) to shelter in case of danger. To maintain this type of shrimp, it will be necessary to provide a spacious area, consisting for example of small rocks, and without plants so that it can live according to its habits. Naturally, they can be shy when they arrive in the aquarium, but under the right conditions, they will take their place in their new environment without too much difficulty.

As previously said, Atya gabonensis is a species that lives naturally in the current. Thus, we advise the installation of an oversized filtration system (10 to 20 times the volume of the tank) in order to guarantee a strong current and especially a strong oxygenation. A venturi system will improve the dissolved oxygen rate during summer.

Tips for feeding

Most of the food needs of this shrimp can be met by elements already present in the aquarium. Indeed, naturally, Atya gabonensis feeds on microorganisms by filtering the water. Just make sure you have a good current in your tank.

Food recommendations from our partner JBL - Products PRONOVO

• Granules
  SHRIMPS GRANO
• Tabs
  CRABS WAFER

Reproduction protocol

• Maintenance difficulty
  very hard
• egg-laying protection
  No

Reproduction of this species in an aquarium is considered very hard.

Reproduction of this species is feasible in captivity.

Hybridization risks

In general, it is advised not to mix several species of the same genus or different varieties of the same species, to avoid the risks of hybridization.