Camel Shrimp care guide
Camel Shrimp (Rhynchocinetes durbanensis) — minimum tank 60 L, temperature 24-26 °C, pH 8.1-8.4.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Camel Shrimp (Rhynchocinetes durbanensis) is a marine hinge-beak (camel) shrimp of the family Rhynchocinetidae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as a beginner-level species. Active small reef shrimp with red-and-white striping and arched back giving 'camel' appearance. Active in groups; not always reef-safe with anemones, soft corals or zoanthids.
Taxonomy
- Family: Rhynchocinetidae
- Genus: Rhynchocinetes
- Scientific name: Rhynchocinetes durbanensis
- Common synonyms: Dancing Shrimp, Hingebeak Shrimp, Candy Shrimp
Habitat
Rhynchocinetes hinge-beak (camel) shrimp are rhynchocinetid reef crustaceans with a movable, upward-hinged rostrum. They are gregarious nocturnal scavengers that shelter in caves and overhangs by day, often in large aggregations. 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: 3-4 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: 1-3 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 FOWLR fish, Hardy corals. It should be kept away from Soft corals, Zoanthids, Anemones. This species is not fully reef-safe and may pick at corals, sessile invertebrates or small tank mates.
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.
Camel Shrimp (Rhynchocinetes durbanensis) Breeding Guide
Overview
Rhynchocinetes durbanensis, the camel or hingebeak shrimp, was first described by Isabella Gordon in 1936. It occurs in the Indo-Pacific in hollows and crevices from 5 to 35 metres deep, growing up to 4 cm (1.6 in), and forms groups of dozens of individuals. The translucent body bears red and white lines, white ocelli and a Y-shaped white mark on the carapace.
Sexing
The species is strongly sexually dimorphic: dominant males possess an enlarged first pair of chelipeds (claws), distinguishing them from females. It is frequently confused with R. uritai and closely resembles R. brucei.
Conditioning
Because the species is gregarious, keeping it in a group reflects its natural social structure and supports pairing. A varied omnivorous diet maintains condition for reproduction.
Spawning & Berried Females
Ovigerous females carry between 267 and 1,764 eggs. Incubation is temperature dependent: eggs hatch about 9 days after spawning at 29.2 degrees Celsius, or about 18 days when the temperature is under 22.0 degrees Celsius.
Larval Care
After hatching the larvae are planktonic before settlement. No whitelisted source documents a practical home protocol for rearing these planktonic larvae to settlement.