Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Invertebrate profile

Diet

Omnivore

Scavenger that often consumes Aiptasia anemones.

Ecological role

Cleaner

Valued for natural pest control.

Shock sensitivity

High

Needs a stable environment. Sensitive to high nitrates.

Calcium and minerals

Medium

Relies on mineral balance for healthy molting.

Molting

Yes

Molting is a critical and vulnerable time for this shrimp. It sheds its old exoskeleton to grow and will actively seek out dark, secure crevices in the live rock to hide. During this period, the shrimp's new shell is soft, making it highly susceptible to aggression or predation from tank mates.

Reproduction

Oviparous

This species is a protandric simultaneous hermaphrodite, meaning individuals can function as both male and female but require a partner to mate. Spawning typically occurs shortly after molting. The shrimp carries the bright green fertilized eggs under its abdomen until they hatch into microscopic planktonic larvae, which are hard to raise.

Compatibility & tankmates

Peaceful

Generally reef-safe and peaceful, they make great additions to marine aquariums with plenty of live rock. While they can be kept in pairs, overcrowding in small tanks can lead to territorial aggression or cannibalism, especially toward freshly molted individuals. They do not strongly associate with fish for cleaning behaviors.