Boxing Shrimp, Stenopus hispidus

Boxing Shrimp £19.99 Boxing Shrimp, Stenopus hispidus, is a bold and eye catching marine invertebrate that is highly prized for its striking red and white banding, long white antennae and distinctive oversized claws. Also commonly known as the Coral Banded Shrimp, this species adds plenty of character to a marine aquarium and is often chosen by customers looking for an unusual shrimp with both visual appeal and interesting behaviour. Boxing Shrimp can sometimes act as a cleaner shrimp, using their long antennae to signal to passing fish, but they are also opportunistic scavengers and should be offered a varied diet of suitable meaty marine foods such as mysis, finely chopped prawn, mussel, krill and other prepared foods to help keep them in good condition. They do best in a mature marine aquarium with stable water conditions, plenty of rockwork and a secure cave or shaded overhang to retreat to, as they often claim a territory and may spend time hanging upside down beneath ledges. While they are generally suitable for reef aquariums, they are best described as reef safe with caution, as they can be territorial towards other shrimps and crustaceans and may also trouble very small, slow moving tank mates in confined spaces. For this reason, they are usually best kept singly or as a true mated pair, rather than alongside other ornamental shrimp species. Boxing Shrimp are hardy once established, but like all marine shrimp they are sensitive to sudden changes in salinity and water chemistry, so careful acclimation is very important when introducing them to a new aquarium.