Jim

OK, it seems appropriate to start off my personal BLOG section with the coolest thing I've bought yet. I was chcking out a new store way down in Tampa which turned out to be a gold mine, and I came across this monster. I knew immediately I had to own it. I was just hoping it'd come out so I could get a pic, and when the big lights shut off about an hour ago it didn't disappoint me.
So without further adou..
Ladies & Gentlemen, Boys & Girls... Meet Wratha, my Vampire Shrimp

Martinismommy

Welcome Wratha! You're quite a sight to see.......How big is she/he?

Jim

Roughly 4 inches... and I've read she'll get bigger.

King_Snuggles

Did you get that at Fish World?

Lucy

Wow, it's kinda creepy and nice looking at the same time.

Shawnie

amazing pics...nice quality also...!

Jim

No, a place called Marine Warehouse on Hillsboro Ave by Town & Country. I didn't know about it until a couple days ago when someone told me they had CO2 equiptment; which they do to some extent.
Dude, you're in tampa? You'll love this place; these guys have a huge selection of very exotic critters, and maybe a dozen of these vampires! I bought this beast and a monster Madascar lace plant (I'll be posting pics of tomorrow). And I plan on going back as soon as i have a few extra $$$.

King_Snuggles

I'll have to check it out next time im in town

COBettaCouple

Very cool! I want some!

Shawnie

ah nooooooo eating the vampires!

MrWaxhead

Very nice find and very nice looking shrimp, more on them here.

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

Jim

Hey cool! I hadn't seen this link yet. Great pic, I guess mine might get darker... hmmm, I wonder if they change color like the flower shrimp?
Anyway Thanks.

Narcicius

gratz on the find, Hope hes getting all the food he needs from filtering, enjoi the addition.

Jim

I'm also checking into different filter feeder foods, mostly for salt water corals and such, to see what might work as a suppliment, just in case. I also have a great stone mortal and pestal to grind up algae tabs and baby fish food ultra-fine.

King_Snuggles

aww it says not to keep them with chiclids. so i guess that counts angles and kirbys.

Jim

I'm currently debating this very thing, because my new tank is going to have angels. Can I put somethinglike Wratha in with them? Now on the one hand small shrimp like Amano's would be angelfood in no-time. But i'm not exactly sure what an angel would do when facing something this big. Plus there's those massive front legs Wratha has. I've watched her, and I know they're NOT claws, they have no hinged "thumb" or whatever to close like a crab-claw. But it sure looks like one, doesn't it? I've been really wondering about this, and I'm pretty sure it doesn't serve any function, although I'm betting it could give a fish a good poke.
So why look so huge and deadly like a blue crab?? hmmmm?? Guys, I haven't seen this written anywhere, but I think my Vampire is a mimic... looking like it has big claws like a crab or crayfish when the truth is it's harmless and rather defenseless. I think it's intended to fake the preditors out! And if this is the case... again, I really wonder what an angel or other not too agressive cichlid would do.

Austin {Aquarist}

*hides under bed*

King_Snuggles

all the pictures i have seen the shrimp have those big front legs. and all the sites say they are harmless.
i guess there is only one way to find out what an angle will do. keep us posted if you have good luck i will have to try my hand at them they are really cool looking.