Coral banded shrimp (Stenopus hispidus) care guide

Group
Shrimp
Other names
Banded coral shrimp, Banded boxer shrimp, Banded cleaner shrimp, Boxing shrimp
Family
Stenopodidae
Origin
Pantropical: Indo-Pacific, Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico; coral reefs to 210 m. Aquarium stock often from Indonesia
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
7.5 cm
Temperature
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
SG 1.023–1.025, dKH 8–12
Minimum tank
100 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
yes

Care

The coral banded shrimp is one of the classic marine shrimps: a spiny, transparent body banded red and white, white antennae and walking legs, and a large third pair of legs bearing banded claws. Body length reaches about 6 cm, and with claws and antennae it looks much bigger. It is found on coral reefs throughout the tropics and beyond, from shallow water to around 210 m. It belongs to a different group (Stenopodidea) from cleaner and peppermint shrimps. Set-up and numbers: keep one, or a true mated pair. It is aggressive towards its own kind, and two unrelated animals will usually fight until one is killed. In the wild pairs are monogamous and hold a territory of 1–2 m across, and they can recognise each other individually. Provide caves and overhangs; it usually hangs upside down in a crevice with only its antennae showing. Give it room so its long antennae are not constantly touching corals or anemones. Water: stable reef conditions, low nitrate and adequate iodine for good moults. It may hide for a day or two around a moult. Acclimatise slowly to avoid salinity or pH shock. Behaviour and role: a cleaner that advertises by waving its white antennae and removes parasites and damaged tissue from fish. It is also an active scavenger that roams for leftover food. Copper: copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most invertebrates. Never dose copper in a tank holding this animal, and check fertiliser and medicine labels before use. Sources: LiveAquaria (liveaquaria.com/products/banded-coral-shrimp); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stenopushispidus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Scavenging carnivore. Accepts most frozen and flaked foods: mysis, brine shrimp, chopped seafood, pellets. Target-feed a few times a week so it does not steal food from corals or bully other shrimp.

Breeding

Females are usually larger, and the green ovaries can often be seen through the carapace. A mated pair will spawn regularly in the aquarium, the female carrying eggs under the abdomen. The larvae are planktonic and very hard to raise; aquarium breeding is usually unsuccessful.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful towards most fish and corals and reef compatible. Aggressive towards other Stenopus and towards smaller shrimp of other species (cleaner, peppermint, fire shrimp), which it may kill. Predatory fish such as hawkfish, triggers, puffers and large wrasses will eat it.

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

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