Holthuis' Anemone Shrimp

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Widely distributed in the tropical Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to southern Japan, New Guinea, and Australia. Inhabits sheltered lagoons and outer reef slopes, hosting on anemones and corals.

Taxonomy: Member of the family Palaemonidae. Features a slender, almost completely glass-like transparent body, with long white antennae and thin legs. Reaches 2 to 2.5 cm.

Social Behavior: Commensal species that lives within or near the stinging tentacles of host anemones or long-polyped LPS corals, receiving protection in exchange for cleaning services.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Glass-clear body decorated with distinctive white and purple spots on the back, tail fan, and claws. Females are slightly larger than males with a broader abdomen for carrying eggs.

Tank Setup: Suitable for established reef aquariums of 10 gallons or larger. The presence of a suitable host anemone (such as Stichodactyla or Entacmaea) or LPS corals (such as Heliofungia or Catalaphyllia) is highly recommended.

Diet and Feeding: Omnivore and scavenger. Feeds on host mucus and organic debris. In captivity, target-feed with fine frozen foods (brine shrimp, copepods) using a pipette near its host host.

Water Quality: Stable reef parameters. Salinity SG 1.023-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4, temperature 22-28°C. Strictly zero tolerance for copper and sensitive to sudden density shifts.

Compatibility and Tankmates: 100% reef-safe. Peaceful with anemone-dwelling clownfish. Do not house with predatory reef fish or aggressive crabs that could harass it.

Aquarium Breeding: Females carry eggs under their abdomen. Planktonic larval stages are highly complex and do not survive standard home aquarium filtration.

Risks and Diseases: Severe stress and early mortality if kept without a protective host anemone or coral. Highly sensitive to copper treatments and salinity changes.