Coral Banded Shrimp

• ExerciseLow

  A calm, unhurried swimmer — peaceful surroundings suit them best.

• GroomingRoutine tank care

  Weekly partial water changes keep them in top shape.

• Living spaceNano-tank friendly

  Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Owner experienceGreat first pet

  Forgiving and easy to get started with.

• Commitment2–4 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Molting issues · Nutritional deficiency · Parasites

The Coral Banded Shrimp (Stenopus hispidus) is found in tropical seas worldwide and reaches about 6 to 8 cm in body length, with much longer white antennae. It is technically a cleaner shrimp and will service fish that solicit it, though it does so far less enthusiastically than a skunk cleaner. It lives under ledges and in caves, usually hanging upside down from an overhang. Keep it in a 75 litre or larger reef tank at 24-27C, salinity 1.024-1.026, pH 8.1-8.4, with stable parameters and no copper-based medications, which are lethal to all invertebrates. Iodine-adequate water supports healthy moulting. It eats readily from mysis, chopped seafood and sinking pellets. The honest warning is territorial aggression: it will kill other coral banded shrimp that are not its mate, frequently attacks smaller cleaner shrimp, and a large individual may catch small fish and dartfish at night. Keep one, or a bonded male and female pair, and skip it in a tank of small peaceful shrimp.

• How active is a Coral Banded Shrimp?

  Low. A calm, unhurried swimmer — peaceful surroundings suit them best.

• How much maintenance does a Coral Banded Shrimp need?

  Routine tank care. Weekly partial water changes keep them in top shape.

• What tank size does a Coral Banded Shrimp need?

  Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.

• Is a Coral Banded Shrimp a good fit for first-time owners?

  Great first pet. Forgiving and easy to get started with.

• How long do Coral Banded Shrimp live?

  2–4 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Coral Banded Shrimp?

  Keep an eye out for Molting issues, Nutritional deficiency, Parasites. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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