Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Invertebrate profile

Diet

Omnivore

Omnivorous scavenger. Accepts flakes and frozen foods.

Ecological role

Cleaner

Excellent nocturnal scavenger.

Shock sensitivity

High

Requires stable reef parameters.

Calcium and minerals

High

Requires trace elements and calcium to molt.

Molting

Periodic

Molting is a vital yet perilous phase for their growth. Once the old shell is shed, the shrimp is soft and defenseless. It is crucial to provide intricate live rock with dark caves where they can safely retreat for several days until their new exoskeleton absorbs enough minerals to harden.

Reproduction

Oviparous

These shrimp are protandric simultaneous hermaphrodites, meaning they mature as males before developing female reproductive capabilities. Mating occurs right after molting. They regularly produce pelagic larvae, but successfully raising them in captivity is notoriously difficult, requiring specialized kreisel tanks and a constant supply of microscopic planktonic live foods.

Compatibility & tankmates

Reef safe

They are generally peaceful and reef-safe when given ample space and rockwork. However, overcrowding them can lead to territorial disputes and cannibalism, particularly targeting freshly molted shrimp. Unlike the closely related wurdemanni species, their appetite for consuming pest Aiptasia anemones is poorly documented and largely inconsistent in home aquariums.