Can I keep two Banded Coral Shrimp together?

No, unless you purchase them as a specifically confirmed mated pair. Two males or two females will relentlessly fight until one is killed.

Will a Banded Coral Shrimp eat my bristle worms?

Yes, they are excellent natural predators of bristle worms. They use their specialized claws to pluck the worms from the rockwork, making them a popular biological control method.

Why has my Banded Coral Shrimp hidden away and turned pale?

It is likely preparing to moult or has just moulted. During this time, their new exoskeleton is completely soft, leaving them highly vulnerable. They will hide in a dark cave until the new shell hardens.

Is the Banded Coral Shrimp reef safe?

They are generally considered reef safe with caution. While they do not eat corals, a starving or particularly large individual may steal food from coral polyps or opportunistically grab very small sleeping fish. Keeping them well-fed prevents most issues.

How often should I feed my Banded Coral Shrimp?

While they will scavenge leftover food from your fish, it is best to directly target-feed them a small piece of meaty food (like frozen mysis or krill) 2 to 3 times a week to ensure they are fully nourished and less prone to scavenging aggressively.

MarineMarineIntermediate

Banded Coral Shrimp

Stenopus hispidus

The Banded Coral Shrimp is a strikingly beautiful, red-and-white striped marine invertebrate renowned for its role as a cleaner and scavenger.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 23 – 28 °C
pH range: 8.1 – 8.4
Hardness: 8 – 12 dGH
Salinity: 1.023 – 1.026 SG
Adult size: 5 – 8 cm
Minimum suitable for adult or mated pair: 100 litres+
Lifespan: 2 – 3 years
Diet: Carnivorous scavenger; requires meaty foods, frozen mysis, brine shrimp, sinking pellets, and will actively hunt bristle worms.
Water flow: Moderate
Preferred setup: Ample live rock with caves, crevices, and overhangs to establish a territory and moult safely.

About the Banded Coral Shrimp

Instantly recognisable by its bold red and white stripes and dramatically long antennae, the Banded Coral Shrimp (*Stenopus hispidus*) is a fixture in the marine aquarium hobby. Though frequently referred to as a cleaner shrimp, it is actually more closely related to lobsters than true shrimp. In the wild, they establish 'cleaning stations' on the reef, waving their long white antennae to attract fish looking to have dead skin and parasites removed. In the home aquarium, they bring fascinating behavioural dynamics, spectacular colour, and excellent scavenging capabilities.

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Is it right for your tank?

Check Banded Coral Shrimp against a habitat you already keep. We compare water type, temperature, pH, adult size, group needs and everything living there.

Where Banded Coral Shrimp comes from

Native range

Indo-Pacific, Western Atlantic, Red Sea

Countries / regions

Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, United States, Bahamas

Habitat

Coral reefs, rocky outcrops, and sheltered caves where they can establish cleaning stations.

Pantropical distribution, found in tropical marine waters globally.

Similar species

Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
Blood Red Fire Shrimp
Lysmata debelius
Peppermint Shrimp
Lysmata wurdemanni
Blue Banded Coral Shrimp
Stenopus tenuirostris

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Yellow Tang
Zebrasoma flavescens
Peaceful, active fish that may utilize the shrimp's cleaning services without posing a predatory threat.
Great
Ocellaris Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
Occupy different zones and have no conflicting territorial interests with the shrimp.
Great
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
Banded Coral Shrimp can be highly territorial toward other shrimp species, occasionally leading to aggression in smaller tanks.
Compatible with caution
Neon Goby
Elacatinus oceanops
While generally safe, very small bottom-dwelling fish can occasionally be snatched at night by a large, hungry Banded Coral Shrimp.
Compatible with caution
Clown Triggerfish
Balistoides conspicillum
Triggerfish are natural predators of crustaceans and will quickly hunt and eat the shrimp.
Not recommended
Other Banded Coral Shrimp
Stenopus hispidus
Unless they are a confirmed, bonded male-female pair, conspecifics will fight to the death.
Not recommended

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