Shrimp Newbie - African Fan Shrimp

[linty]

I've been keeping cold & tropical fish and newts for about 3 years. I recently purchased a shrimp from a local pet shop. After looking at the site I am certain that it is a mature male African Fan Shrimp about 3" long. The advice I was given in the pet shop was good and matches with that in this site. I an keeping the shrimp with large gouramies, Hoplo catfish and a very large eel catfish.

Some question I have:-

- Do male African Fan Shrimp co-exist happily?

- My current set-up has a number of large hollow log ornaments in the tank. Are the shrimp happy with a busy environment of do they prefer a open expanse of gravel and plants?

It seems to have taken a real liking to a smaller log and spends a fair amount of time in there. I am concerned that the may not be enough open space or it may feel nervous as the eel catfish is harmless but quite boisterous.

[carbon etc]

Fan shrimp are utterly harmless. I'm always concerned about what harm can come to them, never what harm they can do.

And I'd say the more hidey holes they have access to the more they're going to like their environment... assuming that's where the current is.

[badflash]

They don't need open ground but do like to have some good water flow to be able to filter. Check the tank mates. Some like the gourami can be agressive. Fish that bug the shrimp can stress them.

Chances are you have a bamboo, not an african filter feeder. Thise are not usually found in pet stores. The african is also known as a vampire shrimp and has a mean looking set of front legs that look like vampire teeth. Can you post a pic?

[linty]

Have difficulty getting a decent picture as the tank is bow-fronted. It has "mean" front legs and looks identical to the one in the shrimp varieties. The exception is that it is blue in colour. I think i've seen a picture of one in the user galleries .... I'll see if I can get a picture.