Atyaephyra desmarestii

Scientific name Atyaephyra desmarestii
Descriptor Millet
Year of description 1831
IUCN category LC
Family Atyidae
Genus Atyaephyra
Atyaephyra desmarestii Atyaephyra desmarestii

Introduction

Atyaephyra desmarestii is a little fresh water crustacea.

Who is it?

Morphology

How to recognize Atyaephyra desmarestii ?

Atyaephyra desmarestii measures between 3 and 4 cm. Given its small size, this species is commonly referred to as a "dwarf" animal.

Of elongated form, like all the shrimps, it has 5 pairs of legs and a segmented carapace at the level of the abdomen which ends in a tail in fan cut for swimming.

Behaviour & Life cycle

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

Like all crustaceans, Atyaephyra desmarestii molts whenever it becomes cramped in its shell. Before the hardening of its new body, it is more vulnerable and spends a good part of its time hidden. This mechanism, very complex, allows the periodic renewal of the exoskeleton and part of the internal skeleton. It is also during the moult that the females become fertile.

Atyaephyra desmarestii is a crustacea living in colonies naturally found near the bottom. This species is scavenger . this crustacea lives mainly at night. Usually, it leaves its hiding place and starts to be active once it gets dark. Measuring only a few centimeters, this small species tends to be discreet and hide in the presence of larger neighbors.

n general, this species does not care much about other animals crossing its path.

The cilia located on the legs and tail facilitate swimming, which is done in leaps when the abdominal muscles contract.

Reproduction

It is an exclusively freshwater species, the whole reproduction process takes place in fresh water. This species follows a mode of reproduction called "direct development". After several weeks of incubation, the female gives birth to fully formed juveniles ready to fend for themselves.

Harmless species

This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.

Where to find it?

Where to see this species?

What is its habitat?

Natural environment characteristics

  • Temperature
    6 - 28 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    7 - 8.5
  • gh (hardness)
    5 - 15

Biotope presentation

Species of the same biotope

Main recommendations for fishkeeping

Deontology

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
    20 liters
  • Population min
    5
  • Temperature
    6 - 28 °C
  • pH (acidity)
    7 - 8.5

Characteristics

  • Type of maintenance
    Aquarium
  • Maintenance difficulty
    easy
  • Availability
    rare
  • Behaviour
    peaceful
  • Robustness
    tolerant
  • Environment
    fresh water
  • Breeding
    fresh water

General reminders

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 Atyaephyra desmarestii

Atyaephyra desmarestii is a species which lives naturally at a temperature between 6 °C and 28 °C. For proper maintenance, the temperature should never exceed the 31°C for long periods. As its reproduction has not yet been mastered in captivity, the entire available supply comes from the wild. The conditions under which wild origin individuals are bred must be respected in a rigorous manner. 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.

Breeding this species is accessible to any hobbyist. It is recommended to follow some basic rules and to be rigorous to achieve a good maintenance.

This species is very rare in the aquarium trade. Instead, it is maintained by knowledgeable aquarists who own and breed individuals from wild origin strains. If you want to get this species, we advise you to contact specialized clubs. }Specimens from long time breeding are a bit easier to breed but you have to respect the particular water parameters.

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

Cohabitation & Environment

Atyaephyra desmarestii is a crustacea which it is advisable to maintain in specific aquarium. Associating it with other species is not fundamentally impossible but a documentation work is necessary for the constitution of the population. Being a living in colonies crustacea, it is advisable to install at least 5 individuals in an aquarium of 20 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.

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.

It should be noticed that this species should not be kept with large crustaceans or fish, as it would become a prey of choice. Smaller species should preferably be inserted in the aquarium some time before the larger ones.

Tips for feeding

This shrimp accepts the majority of foods available on the aquarium market. You can of course feed it with products specially adapted for dwarf Shrimp. Besides artificial food, most of its food needs can be met by elements already present in the aquarium. Indeed, naturally, Atyaephyra desmarestii will feed on algae and microorganisms present in the vegetation and the decor. Adding decaying leaves (oaks, alders...) or a few remains of dead plants will ensure the basis of the diet of this species, these elements constituting the basis of its diet in the wild .

Food recommendations from our partner JBL - Products PRONOVO

Reproduction protocol

  • Maintenance difficulty
    very hard
  • egg-laying protection
    No

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

Aucune reproduction n'a été à ce jour répertoriée en aquarium.

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.

To go further

Species of the same family

To read on the web

Sources & Contributions

Participation & Validation

The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.

Translation

Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.

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Species of the same family

Species of the same biotope

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