Banded Coral Shrimp/ Boxing shrimp

Today’s saltwater aquariums frequently contain invertebrates, particularly reef tanks with lots of corals.

When stocking a tank with critters, shrimps are frequently forgotten because there  are numerous vibrantly coloured fish available. But occasionally shrimp may also be really alluring.

One example is the Coral Banded Shrimp. They are lots of character and feature a distinctive pattern with vibrant colours.

Better still, they require little maintenance. Given that they largely take care of themselves, you don’t need to worry too much about them.

Shrimp with coral bands can be found in the Indo-Pacific, Red Sea, and Western Atlantic Oceans, where there is intensive stock-building to meet the demand of the marine decorative trade.

This species lives in rocky or coralline environments from a few millimeters to at least 30 metres below the surface. They are thought to move over a very small area (less than 1 m2) as adults, with males displaying territorial behavior within this area. They are found in reef crevices or overhangs.

II. You would love the fish because…

Of its vivid color and resilience, coral banded shrimp (Stenopus hispidus), also known as cleaner shrimp, boxer shrimp, barber pole shrimp, and clown shrimp, is one of the most prevalent decapods in the marine aquarium trade.

The cleaner shrimp known as coral-banded shrimp is found on all seven continents. It is well recognized that it plays a crucial role in the aquarium environment by removing and consuming ectoparasites, damaged or dead tissues, and extra food particles from fish. Even for beginners, taking care of them is rather simple.

The bands on their pincer claws and their striking red and white stripes are what set them apart. Very long white antennae and antennules, vivid red bands encircling the shrimp’s white body, and larger, chelated third pereiopods are all characteristics of coral-banded shrimp.

There are 11 species in the genus Stenopus. They are all extremely similar, however, some of them have very tiny color differences. For instance:

• Blue or purple bands on coral (Stenopus tenuirostiris).
• Golden bands from coral (Stenopus scutellatus).
• Yellow Bands (Stenopus zanzibaricus).

The pincer arms and the abdomen typically maintain their red and white striped patterns in all color variations, which is pretty remarkable.

III. Is this fish species peaceful or hostile?

 Peaceful in nature

IV. Species compatibility

• Eels
• Lionfish
• Groupers
• Snappers
• Triggers

V. How to feed this species?

The Banded Coral Shrimp can eat anything as they are omnivores. Meat, pieces of fish, shrimps, squids, shellfish, etc. They can also eat a variety of food like flakes, live or frozen foo.

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