Atya Gabonensis aka African Giant Filter Shrimp

[waterfaller1]

I have had this guy a long time. I thought he had passed away, as I had not seen him in forever. He is good at hiding. Last night he crawled out from the plants to get away, as I was disturbing them to get in there and clean well. He has become HUGE and dark cobalt blue. He is a filter feeder.
{borrowed pic to show what they look like}

 

[waterfaller1]

I think I might name him. What shall we call him? Forest Gumbo?

 

[Birdiemarie]

Wow, they are beautiful! How big is yours? Hoe 'bout Houdini?

 

[kimmie99]

He's cool looking? How big do they get?

 

[Greycloud]

Glad he turned up! No! Not Forrest Gumbo!! Let me think on it!

 

[waterfaller1]

Thank you all. They can grow to six inches! I would say he's halfway there.
Houdini is a cute name Marie.

 

[VictoriaVague]

I love those guys! I used to keep a few cherry shrimp. We had one that was a real good hider. Constantly thought he was dead, only to discover him a few months later. My Kuhli Loaches are the same

 

[Birdiemarie]

Do they start out that color or grow into it?

 

[expressmailtome]

That must have been a nice surprise!

Matt

 

[Stormcloud]

We call them yabbies over here. Where's his pincers??? If he's good at hiding in the locker you'd have to call him Davey Jones yes???

 

[kimmie99]

I like Houdini also! Forest Gumbo while cute, makes me think he's gonna be eaten later!

 

[waterfaller1]

No he won't ever be eaten, it was a joke! I like Davey Jones! These guys don't have pinchers Gerard. I think maybe you are thinking of the little blue lobsters? This guy is a filter feeder, no pinchers needed. This is not my photo. Maybe if I see him again I can snatch him up for a photo shoot.
I just took most of my live plants out and went back to some of the ones I had in there before. I will get pics later. Unfortunately I am plagued with BBA, and I refuse to use CO2 or ferts.
Here is a link to Atya Gabonensis. They are rare to find them available, and I know of only one place that has them. They used to be insanely expensive!
@Birdiemarie he was not as blue as he is now, more brownish when he arrived. He is not the color of the one above either, more like this~ {see his little filter thingies?}

 

[waterfaller1]

Oh here's the link to info
Vampire Shrimp – Atya gabonensis