Atya scabra is a species of freshwater shrimp in the family Atyidae.

[3] It lives on rocky bottoms in rivers connected to the Atlantic Ocean.

The species is widespread from Mexico to Brazil, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico.

[1] The species is commonly used as bait in commercial fishing, mostly in the northern regions of Brazil.

To maintain stable populations, a no-take period from May to August and a minimum take length of 70 mm (2.8 in) have been proposed.