🦐 Stenopus zanzibaricus (Gold Banded Coral Shrimp)

 

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✅ Quick Facts

• Scientific name: Stenopus zanzibaricus

• Common names: Gold Banded Coral Shrimp, Red Leg Boxing Shrimp

• Size: Up to ~2.5" (6 cm)

• Temperament: Semi-aggressive, territorial

• Reef Safe: Yes (with caution – may bother tiny inverts)

• Tank Size: 30+ gallons recommended

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🌊 Tank & Water Conditions

• Temperature: 75–82 °F (24–28 °C)

• Salinity: 1.023 – 1.025

• pH: 8.0 – 8.4

• Alkalinity: 8 – 12 dKH

• Nitrates/Phosphates: Keep low & stable

• Copper: 🚫 Toxic to shrimp

➡️ Provide rockwork, caves, and hiding spots. They hide during the day and when molting.

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🍤 Diet

• Carnivorous scavenger – will eat:

  • Frozen mysis & brine shrimp

  • Chopped seafood (shrimp, fish, clam)

  • Pellets or flakes (if accepted)

• Target feed if tankmates outcompete them.

• May also snack on bristle worms & pests.

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⚔️ Compatibility

• Best kept solo or as a mated pair.

• Can fight with other coral banded shrimp.

• Usually peaceful with fish, but may harass small shrimp/snails if hungry.

• Reef-safe for corals (rare cases of soft coral nipping if underfed).

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🔄 Molting

• Molts as it grows → hides until shell hardens.

• Iodine helps healthy molts (don’t overdose).

• Missing limbs/antennae often regrow with molts.

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🐣 Breeding

• Difficult in aquariums.

• Eggs/larvae rarely survive in reef setups.

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👍 Pros

• Stunning golden/yellow & red stripes

• Active scavenger & occasional cleaner

• Hardy once established

👎 Cons

• Can be territorial

• May eat very small inverts

• Sensitive to water quality