Blue Banded Coral Shrimp

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Easy   • Temperament: Peaceful   • Maximum Size: 2"
• Diet: Carnivore   • Aquarium Level: Substrate & Rocks   • Minimum Tank Size: 12 gallons
 • Reef Compatible: Yes   • Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
• Supplements: None   • Coloration: Red, White, Blue
• Origin: Indo-Pacific • Family: Nephropsidae   • Species: Shrimp

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The Blue Banded Coral Shrimp or also commonly referred to as the Caribbean Boxing Shrimp, has a Blue body and legs, while the chelae and abdomen have red and sometimes white and red bands. This species is a member of the Stenopodidae or "Boxing Shrimp" because of the large pinchers on their third set of legs. They often hold these pinchers erect, giving the appearance of a boxer ready to fight when they feel threatened or are trying to intimidate a rival.

Blue Banded Coral Shrimp are not only attractive in appearance, but are also provide many useful services. Within a community fish aquarium, Blue Banded Coral Shrimp will remove parasites and dead skin from many fish species, while in the reef aquarium environment they are very efficient at hunting down and eating Bristol worms. Be sure to keep this species singularly and to use caution when keeping them with other less boisterous shrimp species.

The Blue Banded Coral Shrimp needs adequate room in which to move about the aquarium without its long antennae touching neighboring corals or anemones. It is also recommended to provide a good amount of live rock for the Blue Banded Coral Shrimp to graze for foodstuffs and provide it with caves and crevices when threatened. The Blue Banded Coral Shrimp must be kept singly, or as a true-mated pair, as it is intolerant of others of the same species.

They are known to harass other smaller shrimp of different species; such as, peppermint or camel shrimps. It is very hardy species, but must be acclimated slowly to avoid any salinity and/or pH shock and is intolerant of high nitrates or copper levels. It is important to maintain proper iodine levels in the water to allow for proper molting. Blue Banded Coral Shrimp make interesting and beneficial additions to either reef or peaceful community aquariums.

In the wild, the Blue Banded Coral Shrimp feeds on parasites, dead tissue removed from fish, and other tiny organisms. In the aquarium environment, it will accept most meaty flake and frozen foods, plankton, and other meaty items. Banded Coral Shrimp are also effective bristle worm hunters in the reef aquarium, helping to keep the population of these pests under control.