Hey there! I’m a passionate aquarium enthusiast and today I’m gonna share everything you need to know about feeding coral banded shrimp. These striking red-and-white striped creatures are fascinating and getting their diet right is super important for keeping them healthy and happy in your tank.
The Natural Diet of Coral Banded Shrimp
In the wild, coral banded shrimp are like the garbage disposal units of the reef! These little guys will pretty much eat anything they can grab with their pincers. Here’s what they typically munch on in their natural habitat
- Parasites and dead skin from fish (they’re natural cleaners!)
- Detritus (fancy word for organic waste)
- Algae
- Dead fish and other marine matter
- Small crustaceans
- Plankton
- Worms
- Sponges
Feeding Your Coral Banded Shrimp in Captivity
When keeping these shrimp in your aquarium, you’ll want to replicate their natural diet as much as possible. Here’s my tried-and-tested feeding guide:
Best Foods for Your Coral Banded Shrimp
Protein-Rich Foods
- Frozen foods:
- Brine shrimp
- Mysis shrimp
- Bloodworms
- Small pieces of seafood (shrimp, squid, clam)
Prepared Foods
- High-quality sinking pellets
- Omnivore flakes
- Algae-based foods
Natural Tank Foods
- Naturally growing algae
- Uneaten fish food
- Detritus (they’ll clean it up!)
Feeding Schedule and Tips
I’ve found that these little guys do best with the following feeding routine:
- Feed 1-2 times daily
- Offer small portions they can finish in a few minutes
- Remove uneaten food after feeding
- Mix up their diet regularly
Pro tip Don’t worry if you don’t see them eating right away – they’re most active at night!
Common Feeding Mistakes to Avoid
Listen, we’ve all made mistakes when feeding our aquarium friends. Here are some common ones I’ve learned to avoid:
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Overfeeding: These shrimp don’t need huge amounts of food. Too much can pollute your tank water.
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Boring Diet: Don’t just stick to one type of food. They need variety!
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Ignoring Natural Feeding Behaviors: Remember, they’re cleaners by nature. Let them do their job!
Special Dietary Considerations
Molting Period
During molting, your shrimp needs extra calcium. I recommend:
- Adding calcium supplements
- Including calcium-rich foods
- Keeping water parameters stable
Pregnant Females
If you’ve got berried females (carrying eggs), they’ll need:
- More frequent feedings
- Higher protein content
- Extra calcium supplements
Troubleshooting Feeding Issues
Sometimes things don’t go as planned. Here’s what to watch for:
- Not eating: Check water parameters and make sure they have hiding spots
- Fighting over food: Might need to feed more frequently or in different spots
- Poor coloration: Could indicate nutritional deficiencies
My Personal Feeding Recipe
Here’s what works great in my tanks:
Weekly Feeding Schedule:Monday: Frozen mysis shrimpTuesday: Sinking pelletsWednesday: Frozen brine shrimpThursday: Algae wafersFriday: Mixed seafood piecesWeekend: Light feeding with flakesFeeding coral banded shrimp isn’t rocket science, but it does require some attention to detail. The key is variety – mix up their diet and they’ll reward you with active, healthy behavior and those gorgeous red and white stripes we all love!
Remember, every tank is different, so don’t be afraid to adjust these guidelines based on your shrimp’s behavior and needs. If you’re unsure, just watch how they react to different foods and adjust accordingly.
Got any questions about feeding your coral banded shrimp? Drop ’em in the comments below – I’d love to help out!
Note: This guide is based on my personal experience and research. Your shrimp might have different preferences, and that’s totally normal!
OverviewThe Banded Coral Shrimp catches the eyes of most aquarists with their beautiful coloration and body shape. It has striking red and white bands across its body with fairly long pinchers and extra long white antennae. Combined with its prickly body texture, this peaceful member of the Stenopodidae family brings interest to any marine aquarium. However, most hobbyists praise Stenopus hispidus for its active nature as it scampers around the aquarium in search of food.
Interestingly, members of the Stenopodidae family are known as “Boxing Shrimp” because of the large pinchers on their third set of legs. These pinchers are often held erect and give the Banded Coral Shrimp the appearance of a boxer ready to fight. Though the Banded Coral Shrimp can be aggressive towards other Banded Coral Shrimp and smaller shrimp of different species, most are peaceful towards fish, corals, and invertebrates within your aquarium. Because of its aggressive disposition towards other Banded Coral Shrimp, the Banded Coral Shrimp should be housed individually or kept as a true mated pair.
Native to the oceans of Indonesia, Stenopus hispidus is perhaps the most widely distributed shrimp in the sea. It usually hangs upside-down in caves or crevices, with only its antennae emerging from the hole. While molting, the Banded Coral Shrimp will often hide from sight for 1-2 days in the rocks of the reef. In the home aquarium, provide sufficient room for the Banded Coral Shrimp so it can move about freely without its long antennae touching neighboring corals or anemones.
The Banded Coral Shrimp is relatively hardy and boasts an aquarium-suited length that rarely exceeds 3 inches, 6 inches with the antennae. The male Banded Coral Shrimp is usually smaller. Breeding the Banded Coral Shrimp is usually not successful. Larvae generally succumb to filtration and skimming.
Like other invertebrates, the Banded Coral Shrimp is intolerant of high nitrate or copper levels. Be sure to maintain proper iodine levels in the aquarium to help ensure proper molting. The Banded Coral Shrimp must be acclimated slowly to avoid any salinity and/or pH shock.
In the wild, the Banded Coral Shrimp is a scavenger. In the home aquarium, it will accept most flaked and frozen foods.
Approximate Purchase Size: 3/4″ to 2-1/2″ Pair: 3/4″ to 2-1/2″
Coral Banded Shrimp Care Guide
FAQ
What is the lifespan of a Coral Banded Shrimp?
The boxer shrimp, also known as a banded coral shrimp lives in the Red Sea. They live among the reefs and can be found as deep as 210m (690 ft)! They only have a life expectancy of 2 to 3 years and are known as cleaner shrimp. They use their claws to remove parasites and fungi from passing fish.
How aggressive are Coral Banded Shrimp?
It is aggressive towards other shrimp and crustaceans. It also preys on worms, snails and small hermit crabs. Being a nocturnal animal, the Coral Banded Shrimp greatly prefers the protection of a cave or overhang during the day. In an aquarium, they do best if they have a place to hide during the day.
Do Coral Banded Shrimp clean fish?
Banded coral shrimps are almost always found in pairs or in small groups and are more active at night. These shrimps clean fishes and eels from parasites and damaged tissues and are therefore also commonly known as banded cleaner shrimps.
Are Coral Banded Shrimp easy to feed?
The Coral Banded Shrimp is easy to feed because it is a scavenger that will accept a wide range of foods. They are a natural predator of bristle worms, so many aquarium owners will purchase them to help keep that population in check, naturally.
Where do coral banded shrimp live?
Coral banded shrimp occur in the Indo-Pacific region, Red Sea and Western Atlantic Ocean, where stocks are heavily collected to satisfy the marine ornamental trade demand. This species inhabits rocky or coralline areas from a depth of a few centimeters to at least 30 meters.
Do coral banded shrimp eat snails?
Other crustaceans, like snails, are problematic because they could be part of a Coral Banded Shrimp’s diet. In the wild, this species acts as a cleaner for fish. They pick off parasites, which provide them with food and removes pathogens for the fish. They are mostly nocturnal; they come out at night in search of food.
What is a Coral Banded Shrimp?
While some of the other popular aquarium cleaner shrimp, like the Scarlet Skunk cleaner shrimp and Blood red Fire shrimp, have a smooth shell, part of what makes the coral banded shrimp unique is the spiny look of its shell.
Do coral banded shrimp eat algae?
Coral Banded Shrimp contribute to maintaining a healthy aquarium ecosystem by helping to control algae growth. They are known to be voracious eaters and will happily graze on various forms of nuisance algae, keeping the tank clean and free of unsightly growth.
Why does my banded coral shrimp eat other animals?
If your Banded Coral Shrimp is eating other inhabitants, you may not be providing enough food for the shrimp. Feed a little more and the shrimp will likely leave the other animals alone. Make sure the shrimp gets food, preferably some meaty chunks.