Description
The Sexy Shrimp (Thor amboinensis), also known as the Sexy Anemone Shrimp, is a small, fascinating shrimp highly sought by marine aquarium enthusiasts for its unique behaviour and vibrant appearance. This shrimp is often associated with anemones, as it has a symbiotic relationship with these creatures, although it can also be kept in reef aquariums.
Appearance:
- Coloration: The Sexy Shrimp has a striking appearance. Its translucent, pale body is adorned with bright red or orange spots, particularly on its tail and upper body. Its legs are typically banded with red or white.
- Size: This is a tiny shrimp, growing to about 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length. Despite its small size, its bright coloration makes it quite noticeable in an aquarium.
- Shape: It has a slender, elongated body with long, delicate antennae. The most distinctive feature is its tail, which is often curled under the body in a "sexy" posture, hence the name.
Habitat:
- Natural Range: Found in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Philippines, the Maldives, and Australia.
- Preferred Environment: The Sexy Shrimp naturally inhabit coral reefs and sea anemones, where they can find shelter and feed on detritus and small food particles. It is commonly associated with sea anemones like the Carpet Anemone or Bubble Tip Anemone.
Aquarium Care:
- Tank Size: A small tank of at least 10 gallons is sufficient for a few Sexy Shrimp, but they tend to do better in a reef setup where they can hide among rocks or anemones.
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Diet:
- Omnivorous and opportunistic feeders eat various foods in the aquarium, including algae, detritus, phytoplankton, and small food particles.
- They will also scavenge leftovers from other fish.
- They may occasionally be fed frozen brine shrimp or other small invertebrates.
- Substrate: Live rock and various hiding spaces are ideal for these shrimp. They prefer environments with low to moderate flow to maintain a healthy habitat.
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Compatibility:
- Peaceful and non-aggressive, they get along well with other small, peaceful invertebrates and fish.
- It is best housed with other reef-safe creatures, such as small gobies, clownfish, and other invertebrates.
- While they are not harmful to other tankmates, they can sometimes be shy and may spend a lot of time hiding.
- Reef-Safe: Yes, the Sexy Shrimp is considered reef-safe and will not damage corals or invertebrates. However, they can sometimes be seen feeding on small ornamental shrimp or cleaning other fish.
Behavior:
- Activity Level: Although tiny, they are highly active, often seen darting around the aquarium or hiding in crevices. They are especially noticeable when they engage in their characteristic "sexy" dance.
- Sexual Display: One of the most interesting behaviours of the Sexy Shrimp is its unique dancing motion. When disturbed or during courtship, they will curl their bodies into a "U" shape and rapidly move back and forth, shaking their bodies in a rhythmic "sexy" dance. This is believed to be a mating display or a response to external stimuli.
- Symbiosis: In the wild, these shrimp form a symbiotic relationship with anemones, cleaning and feeding off the food particles that float around the anemones. In aquariums, they may also establish a similar relationship with anemones or other invertebrates.
The Sexy Shrimp is an excellent addition to a reef tank due to its playful behaviour, striking appearance, and symbiotic relationship with other reef organisms. Their unique "sexy dance" and peaceful temperament make them a delightful and entertaining creature for hobbyists.
- Care level: Easy
- Temperament: Semi Aggressive
- Diet: Carnivore
- Reef Compatible: Yes
- Family: Hippolytidae