Coral Banded Shrimp

Stenopus hispidus

Identification	Red and white striped body with long, thin legs and prominent white antennae.
Maximum Length	5 inches
Origin	Indo-Pacific, Caribbean
Minimum Tank Size	30 gallons
Reef Compatibility	Excellent

Behavior

Usually hides on the back side of decorations or rock. More active at night. Acts as a cleaner shrimp and will pick parasites from willing fish.

Diet & Feeding

Scavenger. Will eat most meaty foods. Can be trained to take food from a feeding stick or hand.

Cautions

Two males housed together in a small tank may fight. A mated pair is ideal. Will eat very small ornamental shrimp.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the coral banded shrimp reef safe?

Reef safe toward corals, but more aggressive than cleaner shrimp: it can catch and eat small fish, other shrimp, and small inverts. Keep only one per tank and avoid tiny tankmates.

Can I keep two coral banded shrimp together?

Only a mated pair. Two unpaired ones will fight to the death. They’re territorial, so one, or a bonded pair, per tank is the rule.

Does the coral banded shrimp clean fish?

It can act as a cleaner, but it’s less reliable and more reclusive than the skunk cleaner, spending most of its time hiding in caves with its long white antennae showing.