Coral banded shrimp info

[Colossus67]

I have just gotten this beautiful Coral Banded Shrimp today. I read several threads that habe statedvthat this shrimp is reef safe even though it had pretty big claws. I would like comments bpeople that have some or did in the past.

Thanks for your help!

 

[jraker]

in some systems they can be great, but i have heard of them killing fish

 

[Colossus67]

I guess if I feed them lots it might help lol

 

[Betta132]

They can be reasonably reef safe, but they are large and highly opportunistic. If smallish fish get anywhere near them, hungry or not they'll usually take a swing. And they are fully capable of snagging most small fish, thanks to those nimble claws. It's possible to keep one in a reef, but once they get to adult size, you're risking fish loss.
I'd say keep it in a refugium, away from all the fish.

 

[Colossus67]

They can be reasonably reef safe, but they are large and highly opportunistic. If smallish fish get anywhere near them, hungry or not they'll usually take a swing. And they are fully capable of snagging most small fish, thanks to those nimble claws. It's possible to keep one in a reef, but once they get to adult size, you're risking fish loss.
I'd say keep it in a refugium, away from all the fish.

What is considered adult size?

 

[royvoss]

i have two of them in my reef, never had a problem with them, during the day they hide, at night they tend to roam around the rocks using its small claws to pick at the rock work , never seen one go after a fish, if a fish even came close to one . the shrimp would put up its big claws to chase it away, some of my larger fish ignore it not matter what. i would not worry about it. had both of mine for years.

 

[lifeoffaith]

I have only ever had one, but will never have another. It would often grab at passing fish. They are very cool, but not worth the risk IMO.

 

[ThRoewer]

If you are afraid off the larger Stenopus hispidus (Coral Banded Shrimp) with nano fish, I would recommend rather the smaller and more colorful species like Stenopus tenuirostris (Blue Coral Banded Shrimp)

or Stenopus cyanoscelis (Yellow Coral Banded Shrimp).

I have pairs of both with small fish and no issues.

The only thing with these guys is that you won't see them much in a larger tank, especially if you have very active fish.

S. hispidus is less shy, especially when in a pair. The snapping after fish is more self defense than aggression, but due to their size they are capable of inflicting some harm on fish that get too close without permission.
I don't think they would actively hunt fish, it's just not their food. They normally go after bristle worms, food leftovers or even filter plankton with their fan hands.

 

[sixpackgarage]

I have a huge one in my tank, probably 12" whisker span. He is opportunistic as stated and will eat anything it can catch. He also likes to give chase to my blood shrimp, so they stay on opposite ends of the tank. My blue hippo likes to let himself be cleaned by the CBS, but the CBS would probably eat the hippo if he stayed still long enough. Super interesting animals, and I think they are fine as long as all other inhabitants are healthy. Healthy fish won't get eaten because they are aware of the danger and fast enough to escape.

 

[Colossus67]

I have a huge one in my tank, probably 12" whisker span. He is opportunistic as stated and will eat anything it can catch. He also likes to give chase to my blood shrimp, so they stay on opposite ends of the tank. My blue hippo likes to let himself be cleaned by the CBS, but the CBS would probably eat the hippo if he stayed still long enough. Super interesting animals, and I think they are fine as long as all other inhabitants are healthy. Healthy fish won't get eaten because they are aware of the danger and fast enough to escape.

Wow 12"!!!!thanks for your feedback

 

[Calappidae]

^ those guys are in the same boat tbh.

Even the smaller ones are threats to the same things. Except the difference being a small one might not be able to kill a large yellow tang.

@colossus an adult CBS will have an antenna span around football size, and a body size of slightly bigger than a base ball.

 

[Colossus67]

Holy sh** !!!!! Ok I will look into that

 

[ThRoewer]

^ those guys are in the same boat tbh.

Even the smaller ones are threats to the same things. Except the difference being a small one might not be able to kill a large yellow tang.

@colossus an adult CBS will have an antenna span around football size, and a body size of slightly bigger than a base ball.

I have small fish and shrimp in my tank and they haven't harmed anyone.
Of course, if you feed only lightly they may be forced to go hunting...

 

[pagojoe]

As most of the guys have said, they are opportunistic. They will also pick your snails to death and are likely to catch and eat any Stomatellas in the tank. Mine was moderately aggressive.


Don

 

[Calappidae]

I have small fish and shrimp in my tank and they haven't harmed anyone.
Of course, if you feed only lightly they may be forced to go hunting...

One trend you'll notice if you fed every hour, is they always come out for food. There is never a time when they won't accept food.

In other words, they're hungery 24/7, they eat on given oppertunities rather than predictable timers.

I remember I fed my CBS, then an hour later remembered to feed the L. Maculata I had next to his tank, and the CBS went to the glass chasing food in his tank. This CBS was in the middle of eating a giant silverside too, he didn't even finish.

I never liked the "just feed it often" requirement as there is no particular cut and dry predictable pattern with what is and isn't enough.

But as many said, "oppertunist" doesn't mean it WILL kill things, it means it MIGHT and that it is likely it could. Some people have angels, some have serial killers in their tanks.

As most of the guys have said, they are opportunistic. They will also pick your snails to death and are likely to catch and eat any Stomatellas in the tank. Mine was moderately aggressive.


Don

I've witnessed this in LFS numerous times actually.

 

[Colossus67]

Thanks guys for all the great comme ts

 

[Silly clownfish]

I have had my CBS for over 9 years and it has never taken a fish. In fact I had a fish (cherub angel) die in the tank while the CBS has been in there and he didn't even eat that.

That said my CBS will wave his claws threateningly at anyone who gets too close. This can make the fish dart off and the angel I mentioned anove did occassionally bump into rocks and get a mark from that.

All critters are individuals, and I know I got lucky with mine. I got him because I also have a flame hawk and the CBS was too big for the hawk to eat.

 

[Colossus67]

Here is the beast btw

 

[drstvk]

My CBS never bothers the fish in the tank, but he has fought with my emerald crab. He also ate a beautiful feather duster worm I had for years. But he's great with the fish and corals. And it is so big and impressive. They're fun to watch. They do shed often, so you'll be fishing the old skin out of the tank nearly every month.

 

[Colossus67]

My CBS never bothers the fish in the tank, but he has fought with my emerald crab. He also ate a beautiful feather duster worm I had for years. But he's great with the fish and corals. And it is so big and impressive. They're fun to watch. They do shed often, so you'll be fishing the old skin out of the tank nearly every month.

Just like my Cleaner Shrimp then [emoji6]