Albino possibility???

Pigheaddd · Post by **Pigheaddd** » Sat Sep 25, 2004 3:45 pm

Dear all,

This was what I got this afternoon at my LFS. I have been told last week(10 days ago) who work there that it just took off old shell thats why it was snow white. When I went there this afternoon, I saw it still in the tank with snow white coloration, so what wouldl you do if you were me, especially it was the same price as normal one? The two small VS I have had at least 3~4 months in my captivity. I have never seen them with snow white color after take off old shells. Here is my questions for you.

1. How could it survive in the wild if it is albino? As far as I know that VS are all wild caught and no record with captive bred. VS grows pretty slow. The two that I have still remain the similar size as 3~4 months ago.

2. I think it is possible exam it by DNA to see if it is albino, but where can I go ask? I am really interested in to know if it is albino or not. Will researchers kill it if they get blood or whatever from it?

It is really hard to tell if the eyes are pink or not. VS has very tiny but cute eyes.

Those are two questions that I have had so far. All opinion are welcome and thanks to sharing your opinion. I will keep updated!

http://www.toninastyle.com/albino.htm

fishfry · Post by **fishfry** » Sat Sep 25, 2004 5:10 pm

that is one creepy VS!

Post by **Mustafa** » Sat Sep 25, 2004 10:09 pm

It's definitely not an albino. It has been documented that dark Atya gabonensis can turn white after moting. Your shrimp will most likely darken again with time.

Mustafa

Pigheaddd · Post by **Pigheaddd** » Sat Sep 25, 2004 10:32 pm

Petshrimp.com wrote:It's definitely not an albino. It has been documented that dark Atya gabonensis can turn white after moting. Your shrimp will most likely darken again with time.

Mustafa

Mustafa,

Where can I find that document if you do not mind? I am really curious now. What cause it?

This shrimp has this coloration at least 7~10 days, so when will it dark again? Did that document mention how long it take to get color back?

Thanks for info and I will keep updated!

Post by **Mustafa** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 2:21 am

There is no document. It has been "documented" by several people I know in Germany. As I implied...your shrimp will probably turn dark, but it might not..who knows. I don't keep any Atya gabonensis, so I can't really give you more info.

Mustafa

Pigheaddd · Post by **Pigheaddd** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 3:01 am

Mustafa,

Thanks for reply and sorry about misunderstood! I sent out about 40 emails to biologists, zoologists, researchers, and scientists yesterday night. Hope someone will interested in this topic and email me back with explanation.

Thanks,

amber2461 · Post by **amber2461** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 11:34 am

I have 2 Atya gabonensis ... both of them male. I have seen the Alpha male molt, he was quite a pale grey but turned dark over the months.

The other male, didn't turn darker but remained a lighter shade of blue-grey. I have read somewhere that only the Alpha male will retain the dark grey-blue colour.

I have seen a picture of a white Atya gabonensis here at this link though.

http://www.wirbellose.de/arten.cgi?acti ... &artNo=030

Is this the colour that you were refering to? It looks beautiful though, any colour, they are a beautiful species of shrimp.

Pigheaddd · Post by **Pigheaddd** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 11:51 am

amber2461 wrote:I have 2 Atya gabonensis ... both of them male. I have seen the Alpha male molt, he was quite a pale grey but turned dark over the months.

The other male, didn't turn darker but remained a lighter shade of blue-grey. I have read somewhere that only the Alpha male will retain the dark grey-blue colour.

I have seen a picture of a white Atya gabonensis here at this link though.

http://www.wirbellose.de/arten.cgi?acti ... &artNo=030

Is this the colour that you were refering to? It looks beautiful though, any colour, they are a beautiful species of shrimp.

Hi Amber2461,

Thanks for link. Can you tell me how to tell if its male or female? That is a german website or? I do not understand it. Too bad, but I am going to email them to see if they will reply me.

Thanks a lot,

Post by **Mustafa** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 5:20 pm

You have males Tim. The males have those enormously large front legs.

Mustafa

Pigheaddd · Post by **Pigheaddd** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 10:27 am

Petshrimp.com wrote:You have males Tim. The males have those enormously large front legs.

Mustafa

Thanks Mustafa!

I think even I know its a male. I have nothing to do about it now.

Pigheaddd · Post by **Pigheaddd** » Wed Sep 29, 2004 9:58 pm

Dear all,

I got some info from friends. It may be true, so albino shrimp will not have pink eyes.

If animals do not have black pigment, we call it albino. Humans, dogs, cats, fishes, frogs blood contain haemoglobin; therefore, when albino occur(no black pigment), the eyes are pink, but insects, snails, cockroaches, shrimps have only hemocynin which mean their blood are blue/green not red; therefore, when albino occur(no black pigment), the eyes will be blue/green not pink.

If this is true, I think it is an albino shrimp.

Pigheaddd · Post by **Pigheaddd** » Thu Sep 30, 2004 8:38 am

Pigheaddd wrote:Dear all,

I got some info from friends. It may be true, so albino shrimp will not have pink eyes.

If animals do not have black pigment, we call it albino. Humans, dogs, cats, fishes, frogs blood contain haemoglobin; therefore, when albino occur(no black pigment), the eyes are pink, but insects, snails, cockroaches, shrimps have only hemocynin which mean their blood are blue/green not red; therefore, when albino occur(no black pigment), the eyes will be blue/green not pink.

If this is true, I think it is an albino shrimp.

Here is another reply from my friend. He is a medical doctor.

Dear Tim,

Wow, it's an interesting question !
The reason why albino specimens has red eyes is the pupil is red.( no melanin)
It's not due to hemoglobin. So, I think even for insect, the albino should still has
red eyes, no matter they have "血青素hemocynin" instead of red hemoglobin.

But I'll ask this interesting question to teachers who teach biology in junior high school here.

Tell you later !

PETER

Acsuth · Post by **Acsuth** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 1:10 am

Atya gabonensis

Anybody have any other links about this species? Will they eat dwarf shrimp?

Post by **Mustafa** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 6:40 am

Did you even read what I wrote about this shrimp on this websiste?

http://www.petshrimp.com/africanfiltershrimp.html

That answers your question.

Mustafa

Acsuth · Post by **Acsuth** » Mon Oct 11, 2004 7:31 am

hm. I missed that one. Yes, that answers my questions. Thanks for pointing it out.