Coral Banded Shrimp (CBS) Medium
Coral Banded Shrimp (CBS) (Stenopus hispidus) Medium.
Available for local pickup only
Add bold color and fun behavior to your reef with the Coral Banded Shrimp — one of the most recognizable and hardy invertebrates in the saltwater hobby. Famous for its vivid red-and-white banded claws, long sweeping antennae, and “boxing” pose, this shrimp brings instant life and motion to your rockwork and caves.
Key Care Information
✅ Size: Up to 2–4 inches long (plus antennae!)
✅ Temperament: Semi-aggressive, territorial with its own kind — best kept singly or as a bonded pair.
✅ Reef Safe: 100% safe for corals, clams, and healthy fish. May chase or bully very small decorative shrimp if underfed or crowded.
✅ Diet: Omnivore — scavenges leftover fish food, meaty frozen foods like mysis or brine shrimp. Target feeding helps keep aggression low.
✅ Behavior: Loves to perch upside down in caves and rock overhangs during the day — comes out at dusk and night to scavenge.
Coral Banded Shrimp (CBS) (Stenopus hispidus)- Medium
Available for local pickup only
📌 Identification
The Coral Banded Shrimp, also known as the Banded Boxing Shrimp, is one of the most iconic shrimp you’ll see in marine tanks.
✅ Appearance:
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Bright red-and-white banded body and claws.
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Long, flowing white antennae.
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Spiny legs and large pincers give it a striking, “boxing” pose when it feels threatened or territorial.
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Grows to about 2–4 inches in length (excluding antennae).
Behavior & Personality
CBS are mostly nocturnal or crepuscular — they like to hide in caves or under ledges during the day, then come out to scavenge at night.
✅ They’re natural scavengers — eating leftover meaty foods, bits of detritus, and sometimes acting as light cleaners by picking at dead scales or parasites.
✅ Territorial: Coral Banded Shrimp are famous for defending their chosen cave or rock crevice. They often stand their ground with their big claws raised like tiny underwater boxers!
✅ Reef Safety
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100% reef safe with corals and clams — won’t harm healthy tissue.
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May bully or attack other ornamental shrimp if they stray too close, especially other CBS. Best kept singly or as a bonded male-female pair.
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Safe with peaceful reef fish but may harass tiny, very passive shrimp species (like Sexy Shrimp).
✅ Care Level
Difficulty: Easy — they’re hardy once acclimated and adapt well to standard reef conditions.
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons or larger — more space means fewer territorial conflicts.
Diet: Omnivore — eats leftover meaty foods like mysis, brine shrimp, and chopped seafood. Target feeding keeps them healthy and less aggressive.
Water Conditions
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Temp: 72–78°F
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Salinity: 1.023–1.025 SG
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pH: 8.1–8.4
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Good filtration and stable parameters are important — they’re sensitive to copper and sudden water swings.
Tank Mates
✅ Compatible with most reef-safe fish, snails, hermits, and corals.
❌ Not safe with other CBS in small tanks — they’ll fight unless they’re a true pair.
✅ Avoid large predatory fish that may eat shrimp.
🌟 Fun Fact
The CBS is also called the Boxing Shrimp because of its defensive stance. It raises its big claws and antennae to look bigger — a fun behavior to watch!