Camel Shrimp

About

The camel shrimp (Rhynchocinetes durbanensis) is one of those inverts that looks almost too good to be true for a beginner. Colorful, hardy, and constantly active. The name comes from the distinctively humped body profile, while the articulated, hinged rostrum gives it that other common label, hinge-beak. The red and white patterning is bold enough to stand out in a reef tank without needing any special lighting to appreciate it. In the wild, these shrimp are found in the Indo-Pacific and around southern African coastlines, typically gathering in groups under ledges and in rocky crevices. They're a genuinely social species that does better in small groups than kept alone. The 'dancing' nickname is well earned; they move with a jerky, almost nervous energy that makes them endlessly entertaining to watch. The main caution worth knowing is that mature males, sometimes called 'boxer' morphs, can develop strong enough claws to nip at soft coral polyps and ornamental worms. That tendency is rarely a problem in fish-only or FOWLR setups, but if your tank is full of expensive soft corals, keep an eye on them. For most community saltwater tanks, though, they're a forgiving and rewarding choice.