Coral Banded Shrimp

Coral banded shrimp is a shrimp like decapod, but not true shrimp and is a member of the family, Stenopodidae and the genus, Stenopus. The scientific name of this decapod crustacean is Stenopus hispidus . Commonly, it is also known as banded coral shrimp, banded prawn, banded boxer shrimp and barber-pole shrimp. Apart from the regular banded coral shrimps (Stenopus hispidus), you can find three other types, yellow coral banded (steponus cyanoscelis), blue coral banded (Steponus tenuirostris) and gold coral banded shrimp (Steponus zanzibaricus). Coral banded shrimps are immensely popular among aquarist. What makes these shrimp like invertebrates so attractive is their colorful body. Moreover, they are so easy to maintain and care for that they can be an excellent addition to many marine aquariums. However, the beginner aquarists need to know some basic facts about banded coral shrimp, in order to introduce them to their aquariums.

Coral banded Shrimp Facts

Banded coral shrimp is one of the most widely distributed shrimps in the sea, though it is basically a native to the oceans of Indonesia. Usually, it can be found hanging upside down in the caves and crevices. It normally reaches a size of 5 cm. The female banded coral shrimps are usually larger than their male counterparts. The body of coral banded shrimp is of prickly texture, and its whole body is covered with short spines, which it uses for defense. Banded coral shrimp is colorful, with striking red and white bands all over its body. It also possesses long white antennae and pinchers, which are often held erect. This gives it an appearance of a boxer, who is ready to fight. This is the reason why it is also known as 'banded boxer shrimp'.

Banded coral shrimp has an unusual power of regenerating its arms and claws at the time of molting. As far as temperament or behavior is concerned, it is usually peaceful. Banded coral shrimp is not aggressive, if it does not encounter any other members of its species and smaller shrimps of different species, with the only exception being a mated pair of coral banded shrimp. Banded coral shrimp is territorial, and it can kill and consume other shrimps. It normally goes along finely with aquarium fish, corals and other invertebrates. But, it can pinch the corals and anemones and steal their foods, for which many do not consider it as a very good choice for reef aquariums.

Coral Banded Shrimp Diet

Banded coral shrimp is omnivorous, which means that you can feed it a variety of foods. It would simply devour anything from dry, frozen foods, dead fish and shrimps to pellets and flakes. Sinking pellets is the most convenient food that can be used by aquarists. In addition to these, banded coral shrimp would eat Polychaete worms as well. The ideal method for feeding this invertebrate is to place the food in front of it with the help of a feeding stick.

Coral banded Shrimp Care

If you are considering to keep the banded coral shrimp in your aquarium, then it is better to acquire some basic knowledge about its care and maintenance. As mentioned already, this shrimp like crustacean is very easy to be taken care of. Only a certain things need to be kept in mind in order to keep it healthy. First of all, the aquarium water pH should be usually within the range of 8 to 8.4, in order to keep coral banded shrimp. The ideal temperature is 72 to 80 degree Fahrenheit. The minimum tank size should be about 30 gallon, so that it gets enough space to move around freely.

It is usually recommended that banded coral shrimp should be slowly and gradually acclimated to the environment of marine aquarium. Usually one hour acclimation is enough, so that it can get adjusted to the environment of the aquarium. This invertebrate like many other invertebrates cannot tolerate nitrate and copper levels. As mentioned already, coral banded shrimp is territorial and it can literally attack other members of the same species, small shrimps, worms and other crustaceans like, snails, corals and hermit crabs. It is usually kept singly or as a mated pair. Do not keep it along with lionfish, eels, snappers and triggers. These fishes are large and they can eat up the small banded coral shrimp.

Coral banded shrimp usually does not breed in captivity and even if it does, either the other members of the aquarium consume the larvae, or the larvae get sucked in by the filter system. So, it is quite rare to get success in breeding these invertebrates. Many also do not try to breed them, as banded coral shrimps are so readily available. Coral banded shrimp usually lives for 2 to 3 years. Apart from its attractive look, banded coral shrimp eats away parasites, detritus and other unnecessary objects or debris from the surface of fish. In this way, it helps to keep the fish, as well as the water of the fish tank clean, which can be termed as the most important benefits of keeping coral banded shrimp in a tank.