Pacific Clown Anemone Shrimp care guide

Pacific Clown Anemone Shrimp (Ancylocaris brevicarpalis) — minimum tank 60 L, temperature 24-26 °C, pH 8.1-8.4.

Overview

Pacific Clown Anemone Shrimp (Ancylocaris brevicarpalis) is a marine partner shrimp of the family Palaemonidae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as an intermediate-level species. Tiny translucent shrimp with white spots and tail bands. Lives commensal with large carpet anemones, mantis shrimp burrows or sea cucumbers.

Taxonomy

Family: Palaemonidae
Genus: Ancylocaris
Scientific name: Ancylocaris brevicarpalis
Common synonyms: Glass Anemone Shrimp, White Patterned Anemone Shrimp

Habitat

Palaemonid partner shrimp are small, often translucent reef shrimp that live in association with anemones, corals and other invertebrates. Several species clean parasites from fish or shelter among the tentacles of host anemones for protection. In the Aquairi knowledge base this species is recorded from Indo-Pacific.

Tank requirements

Minimum tank volume: 60 L (15.9 US gal)
Adult size: 1-4 cm
Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
pH: 8.1-8.4
GH: 8-12 °dGH
KH: 8-12 °dKH
Salinity (specific gravity): 1.024-1.026
Lifespan: 1-2 years

Diet

The species is an omnivore, taking a wide range of foods including meaty frozen foods, sinking pellets and detritus gathered from the rockwork.

Compatibility

The Aquairi knowledge base lists this species as peaceful. Suitable tank mates include Carpet anemones, Reef fish. It should be kept away from Hawkfish, Predatory fish. It associates with host anemones or corals for shelter and is generally reef-safe.

Breeding

Breeding requires an extended planktonic larval stage in open water before the young settle, which makes captive reproduction very difficult and rarely accomplished in home aquaria. Most specimens in the hobby are wild-collected.