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Coral Banded Shrimp

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Stenopus hispidus

Complete Coral Banded Shrimp care guide covering carnivore diet requirements, semi-aggressive temperament, minimum 20 Gallons tank setup, and compatible saltwater tankmates. Difficulty: Easy.

Coral Banded Shrimp

Quick Answer

Coral Banded Shrimp (Stenopus hispidus) is a popular decorative shrimp. It requires a minimum 20 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 8.1 - 8.4 and temperature range of 24-26°C. As a carnivore with semi-aggressive tendencies, careful tankmate selection is essential.

Intro

Coral Banded Shrimp (Stenopus hispidus) is a popular decorative shrimp. It has long, sweeping antennae and bold red/white bands. It is an efficient cleaner of parasites.

Setup

A 20-gallon or larger reef tank with live rock, caves, and overhangs. They need hiding spots for molting. Moderate water flow.

Feeding

Carnivorous; eats meaty foods: mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, chopped seafood, and sinking pellets. They will also scavenge.

Compatibility

Semi-aggressive; may catch small fish or shrimp, especially at night. Keep singly or as a mated pair. Good with larger, fast-moving fish. Avoid with very small gobies or shrimp.

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Tank Position
Bottom
Water Temp
24-26°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
8.1 - 8.4

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Carnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

Banggai Cardinalfish Care Guide: Tank Size & Diet semanticSimilarity Blue Green Chromis Care Guide: Reef Tank & Diet semanticSimilarity Firefish Goby Care Guide: Reef Tank & Diet semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Coral Banded Shrimp can be kept together?
Keep only one per tank (minimum 20 gallons/75 liters) or a single verified male-female mated pair. Coral banded shrimp (Stenopus hispidus) are highly territorial; two males or unbonded shrimp will fight fiercely, using their large claws to tear limbs off each other. A mated pair requires a tank of at least 40 gallons (150 liters) with ample live rock (2 lbs/gallon) and multiple caves. Provide at least 3 hiding spots per shrimp. In reef tanks, keep only one; they may prey on small ornamental shrimp and fish fry. Avoid with predatory fish (triggerfish, large wrasses).
What are the exact marine water parameters for Coral Banded Shrimp?
Target pH 8.1 - 8.4, specific gravity 1.023 - 1.025 (35-35.5 ppt), General Hardness 7 - 12 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 8 - 12 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 32,000 - 35,000 ppm, and temperature 72°F - 78°F (22°C - 26°C). They require stable marine reef conditions with calcium (400-450 ppm), magnesium (1250-1350 ppm), and iodine (0.06 ppm) for healthy molting. Maintain nitrates below 10 ppm; nitrite and ammonia at 0. Use a protein skimmer and live rock. Iodine supplements are critical for exoskeleton formation. Avoid copper at all costs (lethal).
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Coral Banded Shrimp?
They are active carnivores and scavengers requiring 60% protein, 15% fat, 25% algae. Feed frozen mysis shrimp, chopped krill, squid, clam, and sinking marine pellets daily. They also eat bristle worms, detritus, and leftover fish food. Supplement with nori sheets weekly. Medication alert: Extremely sensitive to copper (0.01 mg/L lethal) and all heavy metals. Never use copper-based medications in tanks with shrimp. Praziquantel is safe; formalin is toxic. Quarantine with hyposalinity (1.018) is not tolerated; use a separate invertebrate quarantine system.
How to breed Coral Banded Shrimp in captivity?
Breeding is rare in home aquariums. Maintain a bonded pair in a 40+ gallon reef tank with pristine water and multiple caves. After molting, the female releases pheromones; mating occurs at night. The female carries 500-2000 fertilized eggs under her tail for 16-20 days at 75°F (24°C). Larvae hatch as free-swimming plankton; they require specialized rotifer and phytoplankton feeding (Nannochloropsis) for 3-4 weeks. Metamorphosis occurs after 30-40 days. Larval rearing is extremely difficult; not recommended for hobbyists. Remove adults after hatching to prevent predation.

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