Common name/s: Coral Banded Shrimp, Banded Coral Shrimp, Barbershop Shrimp, Banded Boxing Shrimp, Banded Cleaner Shrimp, "CBS"

Scientific name: Stenopus hispidus

Family: Stenopodidae

Genus: Stenopus (Meaning “Narrow Footed”)

Origin: Indonesia

Maximum size: Up to 4’’ (10cm)

Care: The Coral Banded Shrimp will service your aquarium, cleaning scraps of food from the substrate or taking it from the water. It has been known to clean fish, but will occasionally prey upon slow moving or sleeping fish. It will trample corals; will little regard for their well being. Once acclimated to the tank, they will search for, and occupy a suitable crevice or cave. They prefer low flow, and are quite shy, unless paired.

Description: Distinguished by their alternating stripes of colour, from red to white from the tip of its pincer, to the end of its body. It has small amounts of vibrant blue and purple at the base of their limbs.

Feeding: The coral Banded Shrimp will take most foods. Including freeze-dried flake, pellets, Frozen foods, fish flesh and prawn. After you have acclimatized your shrimp, he may not take food immediately.

Sexing: Females grow green Gonads, which are easily distinguished through their translucent exoskeleton.

Breeding: Very difficult. You need an established pair. They are thought to bond for life. Buying two Coral Banded shrimp and pairing them will end un-successfully, with the weaker shrimp being killed within a few days.

Comments: Coral banded shrimp, in general, are considered a risk in a nano reef setting as small fish may be trapped and eaten. Corals and anemones may be nipped at.



This post has been edited by Mr Miagi: Apr 28 2006, 08:05 AM