Boxer Shrimp (Stenopus hispidus)
Looking for a bold, highly active invertebrate that brings both striking colour and real utility to your clean-up crew? The Boxer Shrimp, also widely known as the Coral Banded Shrimp, is an absolute classic in the marine hobby. Instantly recognizable by its bold red and white stripes, massive front pincers, and incredibly long, sweeping white antennae, it is one of the few invertebrates that truly acts as a display piece in its own right.
While they look fantastic hanging upside down in their favorite caves, they are also incredibly hard workers. Boxer Shrimp are phenomenal scavengers that will ruthlessly hunt down uneaten food in your rockwork. Even better, they are one of the best natural predators for controlling bristle worm populations, actively plucking them out of the crevices at night!
At UKReef Hampshire, we highly recommend the Boxer Shrimp for reefers who want a larger, bolder piece for their clean-up crew. They are incredibly hardy, highly entertaining to watch, and do a fantastic job of keeping the hidden depths of your aquascape spotless.
Quick Care Guide:
Care Level: Easy. They are highly adaptable and very forgiving, making them a fantastic addition for both beginners and advanced reefers alike. Like all invertebrates, they do not tolerate copper medications or high nitrates.
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive. ⚠️ Important: They are extremely territorial towards their own kind and other shrimp species. Unless you are keeping a confirmed bonded pair, absolutely do not put more than one Boxer Shrimp in a tank. They may also harass smaller, peaceful shrimp like Peppermint or Skunk Cleaner shrimp.
Reef Safe: Yes. They will not consume your corals. However, because they have large claws and a massive appetite, they have been known to steal food out of the mouths of fleshy LPS corals during feeding time. Gifting them a quick pellet before feeding your Acans usually solves this!
Placement: They will roam the tank but typically prefer to claim a specific cave, overhang, or heavily shaded crevice in the rockwork as their "base of operations," coming out more boldly when the lights go down or when food hits the water.
Water Flow: Moderate. They are comfortable in standard reef flow, usually anchoring themselves securely to the rockwork with their back legs.
Feeding: Very Easy. They are opportunistic scavengers and will eagerly accept almost anything. They will clean up leftover Mysis, brine shrimp, and sinking pellets, while naturally supplementing their diet by hunting bristle worms and other small pests in the dark.