A marine tank is not complete without a shrimp, whether that’s a diligent cleaner or one armed with a pistol. Marijke Puts investigates some of the incredible saltwater shrimp species available.
In marine fishkeeping, fish are the undeniable show-stealers. When folks think “reef tank”, what comes to mind are graceful yellow tangs, wiggly ‘Nemos’, and psychedelic mandarins. Not a lot of people think about shrimp – but I think they should.
Please join me on a wild ride as I proselytise about some of the most useful, colourful, pretty, and downright bizarre shrimpy creatures you can keep in your saltwater aquarium.
Celebrating the Caridea
From the diligent Lysmata cleaners to the booty-shaking sexy shrimp of the genus Thor: all but one of the shrimp species available in your local marine store are members of the infraorder Caridea (and don’t worry, we’ll talk about the single outlier later). The Caridea have been around since the Jurassic period and are divided into fifteen superfamilies, which contain hundreds of genera and thousands of species.
Of all those shrimp species, most live in deep waters or are unsuitable for our aquariums for a host of other reasons. However, there are still plenty of Caridea species for sale in the hobby to give us a lot of choice.
Whether you’re looking for an aquatic janitor, a pest anemone remover, or a bizarre oddball to build a speciality aquarium around: shrimp are the gift that keeps on giving. Below, let’s have a look at some of the varied characters comprising this extensive branch of marine crustaceans.
Each species mentioned is suitable for standard reef parameters (pH 8.1-8.4, 8-12 dKH, 32-35ppt and 24-27°C/75-81°F), so this information has been removed from their fact files so I could squeeze a couple more species!
The Lysmata cleaners
Let’s start off with some of the classics, shall we? There’s a reason Lysmata shrimp are for sale in 99% of stores that sell saltwater supplies. Multiple reasons, in fact! Below are the three most commonly encountered species in this wonderful genus.
Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis)
Cleaner shrimp have it all. They’re brightly coloured and pleasant to look at. Their bodies are mostly milky to yellowish-white, but they sport a broad red band with a snow-white stripe all along their backs. The long antennae, which the shrimp waves at passing fish, are bright white and advertise the species’ cleaning proficiency.
In the aquarium, they usually won’t be able to develop a varied enough clientele to sustain themselves with fish cleaning duties only. Luckily, that’s no problem for these adaptable shrimps, as they’ll just switch to aquarium janitorial duties and normal aquarium foods. Overall, these are fantastic beginner shrimp: they can cohabit with almost any fish or invertebrate, are active throughout the day, and won’t drop dead as soon as water parameters drift ever so slightly.
All photos by Shutterstock
Cleaner shrimp Fact File
Scientific name: Lysmata amboinensis
Size: Up to 6cm (2.4”)
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Habitat: Sheltered reef areas down to 40m
Tank size: 60x30x30cm (24x12x12”)
Temperament: Reef safe but can steal food from corals
Feeding: Omnivore
Availability & cost: Very easy to find, from £20
Related article: Back To Saltwater: Starting Simple With Beginner Corals.
Peppermint Shrimp (Lysmata spp.)
Another species that is firmly in the top five of most popular saltwater aquarium shrimps, is the peppermint. Although, they are also the source of some confusion. Things used to be pretty straightforward: all peppermint shrimp were thought to belong to Lysmata wurdemanni. That changed in 2006, when taxonomists split what had been considered a single species into five closely related ones.
Of these, unlike what many aquarium stores and sources still suggest, L. wurdemanni is not the most common. According to a study in 2017, specimens within the trade in the southeastern United States were actually L. boggessi, with its wurdemanni cousin being much rarer in the trade. If your shrimp was wild-caught in Florida, it’s almost definitely boggessi.
So, is L. wurdemanni being frequently mixed up with L. boggessi a bad thing? Not at all – it’s actually pretty good. Peppermint shrimp in general are known for their taste for pest anemones, but L. boggessi has been found (in scientific studies, not just by hobbyists) to be the best of the five peppermints when it comes to eating these unwanted cnidarians.
Peppermint Shrimp Fact File
Scientific name: Usually Lysmata boggessi
Size: Up to 5cm (2”)
Origin: Eastern Gulf of Mexico
Habitat: Shallow areas like reefs, seagrass and seaweed patches, and rocky zones
Tank size: 45x30x25cm (14x12x10”)
Temperament: Reef safe with caution
Feeding: Omnivore
Availability & cost: Easy to find, from £15
Related article: Marine Hitchhikers: Natural Pest Control for Reef Tanks.
Fire Shrimp (Lysmata debelius)
Not to be confused with the tiny freshwater shrimp of the same name (Neocaridina davidi ‘Fire’), this brightly coloured Lysmata makes an eye-catching addition to both reef and FOWLR systems. I particularly like those little white ‘gloves’ on the walking legs, which along with the white antennae, inform fish that this species is available for cleaning duties.
Although fire shrimp are the brightest of the Lysmata cleaners, it’s important to keep in mind that they’re also the most cryptic. Most aquarists report theirs staying in their hides for much of the day, coming out to feed at night; you could try a night light for your tank if you’d like to see more of your shrimp.
Fire shrimp are gentle creatures that leave their tankmates alone. Members of their own kind are the only exception, so go for either a solo shrimp or a bonded pair to prevent mayhem. Most small to medium-sized fish work fine, though as always you should avoid larger species that may have a taste for shrimp scampi.
Fire Shrimp Fact File
Scientific name: Lysmata debelius
Size: Up to 5cm (2”)
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Habitat: Rocky zones and reefs down to 30m
Tank size: 60x30x30cm (24x12x12”)
Temperament: Reef safe, peaceful
Feeding: Omnivore
Availability & cost: Easy to find, from £25
The Symbiotic Shrimp
Some species of marine shrimp live their lives with a close associate. Both species benefit from a symbiosis relationship, and some of them are extremely rewarding to witness in reef aquariums. Here's a few of my favourite symbiotic shrimp.
Sexy Shrimp (Thor amboinensis)
If only Justin Timberlake would’ve met Thor amboinensis, he would’ve known there’s no need to bring sexy back. It never left!
These tiny crustaceans are experts at strutting their stuff: their booty is continually in the air, and they often stop what they’re doing to sway it back and forth in a twerk-like dance. Combine this chuckle-worthy behaviour with their easy care and the fact that they’re suitable for nano tanks, and it’s not difficult to see why sexy shrimp are highly beloved.
These little shrimp associate with anemones, much in the same way the ever popular clownfish do. However, they will live happily without their host in aquariums, which is lucky as anemones have far more care requirements than these beautiful shrimp.
Sexy Shrimp Fact File
Scientific name: Thor amboinensis
Size: Up to 2cm (0.8”)
Origin: Widespread throughout the tropics
Habitat: Shallow reefs and seagrass meadows often hosting anemones
Tank size: 30x30x30cm (12x12x12”)
Temperament: Reef safe
Feeding: Omnivore
Availability & cost: Easy to find, around £10 each
Emperor Shrimp (Zenopontonia rex)
This unusual number is mostly known for its relationship with sea cucumbers, although it’s not a picky symbiont and can also be found hanging out with Medusa worms, nudibranchs, cowries, and sea stars. The emperor shrimp can change its appearance to match its host, so their colours vary.
Emperor shrimp ride their hosts like (very slow) underwater steeds, feeding on any detritus that accumulates on and around it. They supplement their diet with the host’s mucous and, yes, its waste too. One study suggests that these shrimp also hunt baby fish and crustaceans in the wild if they get the chance, but they aren’t known to cause problems in the aquarium.
Unfortunately for us aquarists, the majority of the emperor shrimp’s preferred hosts are exceedingly difficult to keep. Leopard sea cucumbers, for example, grow very large and need a huge sand bed to sift. Nudibranchs generally have very specific, sponge-based diet needs that are almost impossible to meet, and starfish are notorious for deciding to die for seemingly no reason.
The good news is that keeping these shrimp alone is fine as long as the tank is peaceful and no one bothers their crustacean ‘Emperor’. If you have a larger aquarium, let’s say 190+ litres, you can try them with something like a tiger cowrie (Cypraea tigris). Do keep in mind these molluscs are very much not reef-safe.
Emperor Shrimp Fact File
Scientific name: Zenopontonia rex
Size: Up to 3cm (1.2”)
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Habitat: Reefs down to 40m
Tank size: 45x25x25cm (14x10x10”)
Temperament: Reef safe, peaceful
Feeding: Carnivore
Availability & cost: Uncommon, £35
Pederson's Cleaner Shrimp (Ancylomenes pedersoni)
Another shrimp that has been among my favourites ever since I met them in the wild in the Caribbean, diving the reefs off the island of Curaçao, is the Pederson’s shrimp. There, I came across an interesting anemone with transparent tentacles that appeared to have tiny corkscrews inside, which I later identified as Bartholomea annulata.
Inside the anemone, dutifully performing a little dance and waving its antennae to offer me its cleaning services, was a group of very small, transparent shrimp with pretty blueish-purple dotted patterns on their backs. They gave my fingers and nails a polite scrub as I photographed them. I immediately suspected this was probably a species kept in the aquarium. I was right: although the Pederson’s shrimp is by no means a reef superstar, it (and other members of its genus, Ancylomenes) is occasionally available for sale.
You don’t need much to keep a few Pederson’s shrimp. Their size makes them a great choice for desktop-sized tanks, and they’re as reef safe as can be. Keeping them with their anemone host is not a must, just like with the sexy shrimp. For some inspiration of other Caribbean reef inhabitants, give Chris Sergeant's Salt and Spice: Caribbean Reef Biotope a read.
Pederson’s Shrimp Fact File
Scientific name: Ancylomenes pedersoni
Size: Up to 2.5cm (1”)
Origin: Caribbean Sea
Habitat: Reefs down to 50m
Tank size: 30x30x30cm (12x12x12”)
Temperament: Reef safe, peaceful
Feeding: Omnivore
Availability & cost: Relatively uncommon, expect to pay around £20
Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus spp.)
Pistol shrimp owners will regularly hear popping noises emitting from their reef as their shrimp routinely snap their oversized claw. I could dedicate an entire article to the fascinating workings of these special claws, but basically, the pressure created when the shrimp snap them is enough to kill or stun small crustaceans.
But gunslinging isn’t the only odd thing pistol shrimp do. They also associate with gobies.
Various species, particularly the popular Alpheus randalli (Randall’s pistol shrimp) and A. bellulus (tiger pistol shrimp), maintain symbiotic relationships with gobies of the genera Cryptocentrus and Stenogobiops, among others. Again, I could write an entire feature on this fascinating partnership, but the basic gist is that the shrimp builds a burrow in the sand and shares it with the gobies. It’s also in charge of protection, an easy task given its big snapping claw. However, since it’s almost blind, the gobies are responsible for keeping watch. They warn the shrimp of any danger with a quick flick of the tail.
Pistol Shrimp Fact File
Scientific name: Alpheus spp.
Size: Up to 5cm (2”) depending on the species
Origin: A widespread genus in tropical and temperate seas
Habitat: Species dependent. Reefs, seagrass beds, muddy and sandy substrates are all likely habitats
Tank size: Species dependent but roughly a 60x30x30cm (24x12x12”) tank is a good starting point
Temperament: Reef safe, but may hunt small crustaceans
Feeding: Omnivore
Availability & cost: Relatively easy to find, £20-40 depending on species
Related article: Special Relationships: Keeping Pistol Shrimps and Gobies.
The Starfish Killers
You'll likely be familiar with one starfish hunting shrimp, but there's more than just the halrequin shrimp in this section.
Bumblebee Shrimp (Gnathophyllum americanum)
We’ve seen some strange body shapes already, but the bumblebee shrimp is so unfortunate-looking it’s just adorable. Despite its looks, it’s actually pretty badass: this is an expert echinoderm torturer.
Basically, bumblebee shrimp naturally feed on the tube feet of starfish, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers. Some aquarists make handy use of this by keeping bumblebee shrimp to eat Asterina starfish, although very well-fed individuals might become too ‘lazy’ to go hunting. Don’t expect these shrimps to completely get rid of cushion star infestations for you, but they can help to keep the population under control.
Bumblebee shrimp make a great choice for peaceful or single-species nano reefs. With the exception of their own kind and, of course, echinoderms, they leave both their tankmates and corals alone.
Bumblebee Shrimp Fact File
Scientific name: Gnathophyllum americanum
Size: Up to 2.5cm (1”)
Origin: Widespread
Habitat: Shallow reefs and tidal pools down to 50m
Tank size: 45x25x25cm (14x10x10”)
Temperament: Safe with corals, but not to be kept with echinoderms
Feeding: Carnivore
Availability & cost: Relatively uncommon, prices from around £20
Bongo Shrimp (Phyllognathia ceratophthalma)
I only recently learned about the existence of the bongo shrimp. Needless to say, I was pretty upset I didn’t get the memo earlier. Although, it is somewhat understandable – this species hasn’t gained popularity in the trade, even if it is occasionally available.
Although the bongo shrimp sits pretty close to the aforementioned bumblebee shrimp on the family tree, it looks completely different. Also sometimes known as the spiny tiger shrimp, it sports a white body and legs mottled with dark orange and black spots and stripes, plus a few well-placed flecks of blue.
This is another tiny species, making it suitable for nano aquariums. Combine your bongos with other peaceful invertebrates and small, inoffensive fish for the best results.
Bongo Shrimp Fact File
Scientific name: Phyllognathia ceratophthalma
Size: Up to 2.5cm (1”)
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Habitat: Reefs down to 20m
Tank size: 30x30x30cm (12x12x12”)
Temperament: Reef safe except with echinoderms
Feeding: Carnivore
Availability & cost: Uncommon, prices from £25
Harlequin Shrimp (Hymenocera picta)
I bet you thought I couldn’t come up with anything stranger than the bongo shrimp, but there’s always a bigger fish… or weirder shrimp. The harlequin shrimp looks like something that should belong in a bouquet of flowers, or maybe an exotic orchid bloom.
Like their bumblebee and bongo cousins, harlequins also eat starfish, but they’re a little more extreme in that they’re basically an echinoderm's worst nightmare. They have pointy front legs right below the mouthparts which are used for stabbing starfish. They absolutely refuse to eat anything else though, only tube feet for this picky species.
Most creatures with highly specialised diets are a challenge to keep, but luckily, harlequin shrimp aren’t too much of a hassle. You shouldn’t have too much trouble finding or breeding pest stars for them to snack on. A pair of harlequin shrimp – they don’t seem to like living solo – makes a great choice for nano reefs and desktop tanks. Though they’ll attack other shrimp, they’re otherwise reef-safe and get along well with a range of small, docile fish.
Harlequin Shrimp Fact File
Scientific name: Hymenocera picta
Size: Up to 5cm (2”)
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Habitat: Reefs down to 20m
Tank size: 45x25x25cm (14x10x10”)
Temperament: Reef safe, but not with other shrimp and echinoderms
Feeding: Live starfish
Availability & cost: Often available, upwards from £30
Related article: Characterful Blennies For Your Reef Tank.
Miscellaneous and Oddball Shrimp
Now for some of the other strange shrimpy creatures. These are grouped together, not thanks to a shared characteristic, but because I love them all too much to not include them in this article. I just had to find a way to squeeze them in.
Boxing Shrimp (Stenopus hispidus)
Remember when I said that one of the shrimp available in aquarium stores doesn’t belong to the family Caridea? I was talking about the boxing shrimp (sometimes known as the banded coral shrimp). Despite their similarities, it remains separate from the true shrimp and belongs instead to the family Stenopodidae.
The difference between Stenopodidae and true shrimp becomes clear at a glance. The most striking characteristic of boxing shrimp is its claw size: juvenile shrimp in particular sport claws both longer and wider apart than their actual body size.
These pincers aren’t just decorative, either. The ‘boxing’ nickname is a reference to the fact that this territorial shrimp uses the oversized appendages to beat up conspecifics.
In the aquarium, it’s recommended to keep boxing shrimp alone. You could try keeping two if they’re bonded mates – they stay with their partners indefinitely – but it’s a good idea to have a back-up ready just in case they divorce. Other shrimp species may also be harassed, especially if they look similar. Fish are generally left alone, although some more fragile frags can be knocked over.
Boxing Shrimp Fact File
Scientific name: Stenopus hispidus
Size: Up to 6cm (2.4”) excluding claws
Origin: Widespread in tropical seas, extending into sub-tropical realms
Habitat: Reefs down to 200m
Tank size: 80x40x30cm (31x16x12”)
Temperament: Territorial to its own kind, mostly reef safe
Feeding: Omnivore, may clean larger fish
Availability & cost: Easy to find, around £15
Mosaic Shrimp (Saron marmoratus)
Although I’d rank them just a little below harlequin and bongo shrimp in terms of flamboyance level, Saron shrimp are certainly hot on these species’ heels! This small genus contains two of the most ornate shrimp in the hobby: the appropriately named jewel shrimp (S. inermis), and the beautifully patterned mosaic shrimp (S. marmoratus). With some luck, you may also come across the two other currently recognised species, the eyespot shrimp (S. neglectus) and the purple-legged, straight-up weird, S. rectirostris – which I won’t even try to describe for you here.
These are shy, nocturnal shrimps so you may not see them all that often, especially in a larger tank. Also, keep in mind they’ve got a reputation for being coral pickers. They’re probably fine with cheap, fast-growing options like Xenia, but I wouldn’t keep mine with anything more expensive or fragile.
All in all, while they are beautiful, they're probably one for a specialist tank built around their needs rather than adding to an existing reef.
Mosaic Shrimp Fact File
Scientific name: Saron marmoratus
Size: Some reports state that they can reach 8cm (3.1”), but they will likely stay smaller
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Habitat: Shallow reefs, lagoons and areas of rubble
Tank size: 60x30x30cm (24x12x12”)
Temperament: Not reef safe
Feeding: Omnivore
Availability & cost: Relatively uncommon, roughly £25 each
Camel Shrimp (Rhynchocinetes durbanensis)
I was lucky enough to first meet the final shrimp of this article in its natural habitat while diving in Thailand: the camel shrimp. They typically live in rock fissures and crevices, which keep them safe from larger predators. They inhabit these hidey holes in large groups, feeding on detritus and any other particles they can find. When they run out, the shrimp may turn to coral polyps and anemones, so that’s something to keep in mind if you value your reef.
Thanks to their relatively small size, camel shrimp can do well in nano tanks. As long as you provide them with plenty of cover and company of their own kind, they care very little about what the rest of the tank looks like. However, camel shrimp occasionally get mixed up with peppermint shrimp, and given they aren’t reef safe this can be problematic. However, once you see them side by side, they are easy to tell apart.
Camel Shrimp Fact File
Scientific name: Rhynchocinetes durbanensis
Size: Up to 4cm (1.6”)
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Habitat: Rock crevices down to 50m
Tank size: 45x30x30cm (18x12x12”)
Temperament: Not reef safe
Feeding: Omnivore
Availability & cost: Relatively easy to find, from around £12
Leave Room For Crustaceans
Far more than colourful ornaments. many marine shrimp perform useful jobs, display surprisingly complex behaviours, and can easily become the stars of the tank in their own right. So next time you're planning a marine setup, don't spend all your budget on fish – leave room for a few crustacean characters too.