Bumblebee shrimp (Gnathophyllum americanum) care guide

Group
Shrimp
Other names
Striped bumblebee shrimp, Striped harlequin shrimp, Bumble bee shrimp
Family
Palaemonidae (formerly Gnathophyllidae)
Origin
Tropical seas worldwide, including the western Atlantic and Indo-Pacific; lagoons, bays and reefs
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
2.5 cm
Temperature
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
SG 1.023–1.025, dKH 8–12
Care level
expert
Temperament
peaceful
Reef safe
yes

Care

The bumblebee shrimp is a tiny, chunky shrimp, about 2.5 cm long, banded in dark brown or black and yellow or white like a bumblebee, with orange or blue touches on the legs and tail. It is found in tropical lagoons, bays and reefs and is a relative of the harlequin shrimp. Set-up: best in a small nano reef with moderate light, plenty of rock to hide in and no shrimp-eating fish, because its size makes it easy prey. Keep it in a pair. It does not tolerate copper or high nitrate, and needs stable iodine levels to moult properly; LiveAquaria suggests keeping calcium, magnesium and trace elements up as well. Water: 22–26 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, SG 1.023–1.025, dKH 8–12. Behaviour: shy and mostly hidden by day. It is not a clean-up animal. Copper: copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most other invertebrates. Never dose them in a tank holding this animal, and read the label of any treatment, fertiliser or algae remover before use. Sources: LiveAquaria (liveaquaria.com/products/bumble-bee-shrimp); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnathophyllumamericanum). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A carnivore. Like the harlequin shrimp it eats the tube feet of echinoderms (starfish and urchins), but it does not depend on them. Offer small frozen meaty foods such as mysis, brine shrimp, chopped cockle or small pieces of fish every day, placed close to its hiding spot.

Breeding

Pairs may spawn in the aquarium; eggs are carried under the female's tail and hatch into planktonic larvae that are rarely raised. Females are usually a little larger and fuller-bodied.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful and reef safe with corals. It may nip the tube feet of urchins and starfish. Most fish that eat small shrimp will eat it, and larger shrimp and crabs may too, so choose very peaceful tankmates such as small gobies.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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