Banded Coral Shrimp (Stenopus hispidus)

The Banded Coral Shrimp is a visual delight for aquarists, boasting vibrant red and white bands and elongated white antennae and pinchers. Although they can display aggression towards their own species and smaller shrimp, they generally coexist peacefully with fish, corals, and other invertebrates in an aquarium. It’s best to house them individually or in mated pairs due to their occasional aggressive tendencies.

During their molting phase, they often seek refuge among reef rocks for a day or two. It’s essential to ensure they have ample space in the aquarium to move without their antennae brushing against corals or anemones.

This shrimp, with a body length seldom surpassing 3 inches (or 6 inches when including the antennae), is a manageable size for most aquariums. Notably, male Banded Coral Shrimps are typically smaller in size.

Like many invertebrates, they’re sensitive to elevated copper or nitrate levels. For successful molting, maintaining the right iodine concentration in the aquarium is crucial. Slow acclimation is necessary to prevent any pH or salinity imbalances.

In their natural habitat, these shrimps are scavengers, but in domestic settings, they readily consume a variety of frozen and flaked foods.