Black Clowns

Scientific Name: Stenopus hispidus
Common Name: Banded Shrimp
Origin: Caribbean, Cebu, Hawaii, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Sumatra
Max. Size: 2.5 inches
Min. Tank size: 30 gallon
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Reef Compatible: Yes

General Information: The Coral Banded Shrimp catches the eyes of most aquarists with their beautiful coloration and body shape. It has striking red and white bands across its body with fairly long pinchers and extra long white antennae. Combined with its prickly body texture, this peaceful member of the Stenopodidae family, brings interest to any marine aquarium. However, most hobbyists praise Stenopus hispidus for its active nature as it scampers around the aquarium in search of food.  Members of the Stenopodidae family are known as “Boxing Shrimp” because of the large pinchers on their third set of legs. These pinchers are often held erect and give the Coral Banded Shrimp the appearance of a boxer ready to fight. Though the Coral Banded Shrimp can be aggressive towards other CBSs and smaller shrimp of different species, most are peaceful towards fish, corals, and invertebrates within your aquarium. Because of its aggressive disposition towards other CBS, the CBS should be housed individually or kept as a true mated pair.

Native to the oceans of Indonesia, Stenopus hispidus is perhaps the most widely distributed shrimp in the sea. It usually hangs upside-down in caves or crevices, with only its antennae emerging from the hole. While molting, the CBS will often hide from sight for 1-2 days in the rocks of the reef. In the home aquarium, provide sufficient room for the CBS so it can move about freely without its long antennae touching neighboring corals or anemones.  Because of its size, these shrimp usually do well in 30 gallon or bigger aquariums.

The Coral Banded Shrimp is relatively hardy and boasts an aquarium-suited length that rarely exceeds 3 inches, 6 inches with the antennae. The male CBS is usually smaller.  Like other invertebrates, the CBS is intolerant of high nitrate or copper levels. Be sure to maintain proper iodine levels in the aquarium to help ensure proper molting. These shrimp must be acclimated slowly to avoid any salinity and/or pH shock.

In the wild, the CBS is a scavenger. In the home aquarium, it will accept most flaked and frozen foods, but will spend most of his time searching your tank for a fresh meal.  These guys are excellent hunters, and will overpower and devour slugs, small snails and even small crabs.  (just one of these guys completely wiped out my whole slug population within a couple of weeks).