Coral Banded Shrimp

About

The coral banded shrimp (Stenopus hispidus) is one of the most recognizable invertebrates in the saltwater hobby, dressed in alternating bands of deep red and white across its body and claws, with long white antennae that can stretch well beyond its body length. It's found across tropical oceans worldwide, typically tucking itself into caves, crevices, and overhangs on coral reefs where it sets up cleaning stations. Wild fish queue up at these stations to have parasites and dead tissue removed. A fascinating behavior that makes this shrimp genuinely useful in its natural habitat. In the aquarium, coral banded shrimp tend to stake out a favorite cave or corner and defend it aggressively, which is the main thing new keepers need to understand. They are strongly territorial toward their own kind, so a single specimen or a bonded male-female pair is the way to go. Two males in the same tank is asking for trouble. They're otherwise considered a reasonable choice for newer reef keepers, hardy and adaptable as long as the tank is stable. Feeding is straightforward; they'll accept meaty frozen foods and may even take food directly from your hand once settled in.