Golden coral shrimp
Stenopus scutellatus
A colorful and beneficial marine cleaner shrimp characterized by its bright golden yellow body and red-and-white banded claws. Geographical Origin and Habitat: The Golden Coral Shrimp is...
Temperatura da água
22 - 27 °C
Valor de pH
8.1 - 8.4
Tipo de água
Marinho
Tipo invertebrado
Marine shrimp
Tamanho adulto
5 cm
Grupo mínimo
>= 1
Papel ecológico
Symbiont
Sensibilidade ao cobre
High
Descrição da espécie
Geographical Origin and Habitat: The Golden Coral Shrimp is native to the tropical Western Atlantic Ocean, widely distributed throughout the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, southern Florida, and south to Brazil. It inhabits coral reefs, deep rocky ledges, and shipwrecks at depths ranging from 5 to 50 meters, sheltering in dark crevices.
Taxonomy: Belonging to the class Malacostraca, order Decapoda, family Stenopodidae, and genus Stenopus. Officially described as Stenopus scutellatus. It is closely related to the larger Banded Coral Shrimp (Stenopus hispidus) but is distinguished by its smaller size and yellow coloration.
Social Behavior: Highly territorial towards conspecifics of the same sex and other Stenopus species. It is best kept singly or as a mated male-female pair. It functions as a cleaner shrimp, waving its long white antennae to advertise cleaning stations where it removes parasites from reef fish.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: The body possesses a vibrant, solid golden-yellow color. The large front pincers and walking legs are banded with alternating white and red coloration. The antennae are solid white. Females are generally larger than males and carry green eggs under their abdomen when gravid.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Tank Setup: A minimum aquarium volume of 80 liters (approx. 20 gallons) is recommended. The aquascape must provide ample cave formations, overhangs, and shaded spots where the shrimp can hide during the day, as it is primarily active at night.
Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous scavenger. It will readily consume mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, chopped seafood (clams, squid, fish), and high-quality sinking pellets. It also opportunistically feeds on organic detritus and parasites picked from fish tankmates.
Water Quality: Keep standard marine parameters: temperature 23-26°C (73-79°F), pH 8.1-8.4, specific gravity 1.023-1.025, and low nitrates. Iodine supplementation is vital for supporting successful molting of its chitinous exoskeleton. Copper is highly toxic.
Compatibility and Tankmates: Reef-safe, ignoring corals and clams. Compatible with peaceful community fish. Do not house with large predatory fish like lionfish, puffers, triggerfish, or hawkfish. Do not mix with other Stenopus species to prevent lethal territory wars.
Aquarium Breeding: Breeding in home tanks is difficult. Mated pairs spawn regularly, and the female carries eggs until they hatch. The larvae are planktonic and highly fragile, making rearing them past the larval stages extremely difficult due to filtration hazards.
Risks and Diseases: The primary risk is molting failure due to poor water quality, low calcium/iodine, or stress. Immediately after shedding its old exoskeleton, the shrimp is soft and defenseless, requiring deep caves to hide from potential predators.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
The Golden Coral Shrimp is native to the tropical Western Atlantic Ocean, widely distributed throughout the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, southern Florida, and south to Brazil. It inhabits coral reefs, deep rocky ledges, and shipwrecks at depths ranging from 5 to 50 meters, sheltering in dark crevices.
Origem
Oceanos tropicais e recifesExtra-Amazônica América do SulAmérica Central e CaribeAmérica do NorteEuropa, Mediterrâneo e Ásia Ocidental
Perfil de invertebrados
- Dieta
- Omnivore
- Stenopus scutellatus is primarily an omnivorous scavenger that constantly forages for detritus, biofilm, and leftover food among the substrate. In captivity, their diet should be supplemented with high-quality sinking pellets, frozen mysis, and occasional vegetable matter. A diverse and rich diet ensures robust molting and brilliant coloration.
- Papel ecológico
- Symbiont
- Playing a critical role in the aquatic food web, Stenopus scutellatus acts as a macro-detritivore that breaks down organic materials. Their constant scavenging significantly reduces the accumulation of decaying matter, thereby improving overall water quality. In reef or planted tanks, they often act as meticulous cleaners of the aquascape.
- Tamanho adulto
- 5 cm
- Risco de salto
- Yes
- When startled by a sudden movement, bright light, or aggressive tank mate, Stenopus scutellatus possesses a powerful tail-flick reflex that can launch them entirely out of the water. This jumping behavior makes an unsecured aquarium a severe hazard. A tight-fitting lid or mesh top is absolutely mandatory to prevent them from becoming desiccated on the floor.
- Sensibilidade ao choque
- Medium
- Stenopus scutellatus is highly susceptible to osmotic shock caused by rapid shifts in specific gravity, temperature, and pH. Sudden changes can compromise their delicate osmoregulatory systems, often leading to immediate fatalities or failed molts. A diligent drip acclimation process taking at least one to two hours is vital for successful introductions.
- Cálcio e minerais
- High
- To successfully regenerate their chitinous exoskeleton during a molt, Stenopus scutellatus requires consistent availability of dissolved calcium, magnesium, and trace iodine. Poor mineral content in the water column can result in "white ring of death" or the inability to fully shed their old shell. Regular water changes and appropriate mineral supplementation are essential for their survival.
- Muda
- Periodic
- Molting is the most precarious time in the life cycle of Stenopus scutellatus, during which it will hide until its new exoskeleton hardens. Aquarists will often find complete, transparent molts in the tank, which should be left in the water as the shrimp will consume it to reclaim lost minerals. Never disturb or force a shrimp out of hiding during this vulnerable phase.
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- Under optimal water conditions and with plenty of food, Stenopus scutellatus can readily breed in captivity. Females can often be seen carrying clutches of eggs (berried) beneath their pleopods until they hatch into miniature shrimp or planktonic larvae. Providing dense moss or hiding spaces greatly increases the survival rate of the offspring.
- Compatibilidade e companheiros de tanque
- Aggressive
- Stenopus scutellatus is best kept in dedicated invertebrate setups or alongside small, peaceful nano fish. They are at high risk of predation from cichlids, larger wrasses, hawkfish, and puffers, which will readily hunt them. When kept with appropriate tank mates, they will confidently display their active and engaging behaviors.
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