Bumblebee Shrimp

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Circumtropical distribution in warm oceans, found in coral rubble, rocky crevices, and often among sea urchin spines.

Taxonomy: Part of the Gnathophyllidae family. It features a very small, stocky, and rounded body with short chelipeds.

Social Behavior: Shy and peaceful. It spends daylight hours hiding deep in rockwork or clinging to the underside of sea urchins for camouflage.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Body is decorated with yellow, white, and black transverse stripes resembling a bumblebee. No clear external sexual dimorphism.

Tank Setup: Needs a nano-reef of at least 8 gallons with fine rockwork that offers micro-crevices suitable for its tiny size.

Diet and Feeding: Specialized carnivore. It feeds on the tube feet of starfish and sea urchins. It can sometimes adapt to eating fine frozen foods.

Water Quality: Demands pristine marine conditions: pH 8.1-8.4, temperature 22-27°C, salinity 1.023-1.025, and zero copper content.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Safe with corals and tiny passive fish. Do not house with any shrimp-eating fish due to its small size.

Aquarium Breeding: Very difficult. Planktonic larvae require highly specific larval foods which are hard to cultivate at home.

Risks and Diseases: Starvation is a major risk if appropriate echinoderm hosts are absent. Prone to death from sudden osmotic shocks.