Zanzibar Coral Banded Shrimp
Zanzibar Coral Banded Shrimp (Stenopus zanzibaricus).
Available for local pickup only
Bring a touch of the exotic to your reef with the stunning Zanzibar Coral Banded Shrimp — a beautiful variation of the classic Coral Banded Shrimp, loved for its vibrant red-and-white banded claws and long sweeping antennae.
These shrimp add movement, color, and a bit of personality to your rockwork. They’re hardy scavengers that help keep leftover food in check while sometimes offering light “cleaner shrimp” behavior by picking at parasites and dead tissue on fish.
Key Care Information
✅ Size: 2–3 inches body length (plus long antennae!)
✅ Temperament: Semi-aggressive — territorial with other Coral Banded Shrimp and small ornamental shrimp, so best kept singly or as a bonded pair.
✅ Reef Safe: Yes! Will not harm corals, clams, or healthy fish.
✅ Diet: Omnivore. Eats meaty frozen foods, leftover fish food, and detritus. Target feeding helps keep them satisfied and less likely to hassle tank mates.
✅ Hiding: Provide caves and shaded spots — they prefer to hang upside down or cling to rock crevices during the day.
Description
Specifications
Video Links
User Manual
Zanzibar Coral Banded Shrimp
Available for local pickup only
📌 Identification
Zanzibar Coral Banded Shrimp, sometimes just called Zanzibar Shrimp, are a lesser-seen variant of the more common Banded Coral Shrimp (Stenopus hispidus).
Appearance:
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Distinctive long white antennae, vivid red and white banded legs and claws.
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Compared to the classic Coral Banded Shrimp, the Zanzibar version may have darker red coloration and sometimes a slightly more pronounced banding pattern.
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Grows up to 2–3 inches in body length, with long antennae extending well beyond that.
Behavior & Role in a Reef Tank
✅ Cleaner Behavior: While not as active as dedicated Cleaner Shrimp (like Skunk Cleaners), Coral Banded Shrimp may occasionally pick parasites or dead tissue from fish, especially at night.
✅ Territorial: These shrimp are best kept singly or as a bonded pair — they can be aggressive toward other ornamental shrimp and sometimes towards their own kind if not mated.
✅ Hiding: They prefer to hang upside down or cling under overhangs and caves during the day, becoming more active at dusk and night.
Compatibility
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Generally reef safe — they won’t harm corals, clams, or healthy fish.
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May harass small, very passive shrimp or other Coral Banded Shrimp if space is tight.
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Not suitable for nano tanks with multiple ornamental shrimp species in close quarters.
✅ Care Level
Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Hardy once acclimated and tolerant of standard reef parameters.
Tank Size: 20 gallons minimum (larger is better for multiple hiding spots and reduced territory disputes).
Diet: Omnivorous scavenger — eats leftover fish food, frozen meaty foods, and bits of detritus. Supplemental feeding helps keep them healthy and less aggressive.
Ideal Water Parameters
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Temperature: 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 key.
Tank Mates
✅ Compatible with peaceful reef fish, larger snails, hermits, and corals.
❌ Avoid housing with tiny shrimp species like Sexy Shrimp or smaller anemone shrimp — they may get picked off.
✅ May pair well with larger, semi-bold fish — they usually ignore bigger tankmates.
Fun Fact
Zanzibar Coral Banded Shrimp belong to the Stenopodidae family, known as "Boxing Shrimp" because of their oversized pincers and “boxing” stance when threatened. They use these pincers to ward off intruders — and put on an entertaining show for hobbyists!