Golden Coral Banded Shrimp care guide
Golden Coral Banded Shrimp (Stenopus scutellatus) — minimum tank 60 L, temperature 24-26 °C, pH 8.1-8.4.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Golden Coral Banded Shrimp (Stenopus scutellatus) is a marine boxer (coral-banded) shrimp of the family Stenopodidae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as an intermediate-level species. Atlantic Stenopus with bright yellow body and red-and-white banded chelipeds. Smaller and more peaceful than hispidus.
Taxonomy
- Family: Stenopodidae
- Genus: Stenopus
- Scientific name: Stenopus scutellatus
- Common synonyms: Golden Boxer, Yellow Banded Coral
Habitat
Stenopus boxer (coral-banded) shrimp are reef-dwelling stenopodideans of tropical seas, recognised by their long white antennae and banded claws. They occupy caves and overhangs, often as bonded pairs, and pick parasites from passing fish. In the Aquairi knowledge base this species is recorded from Caribbean, Western Atlantic.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 60 L (15.9 US gal)
- Adult size: 3-5 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: 2-4 years
Diet
The species is an omnivore. In the wild it scavenges and cleans parasites and dead tissue from fish; in aquaria it accepts meaty frozen foods, pellets and flake, supplemented by detritus it gathers from the rockwork.
Compatibility
The Aquairi knowledge base lists this species as peaceful. Suitable tank mates include Most reef fish. It should be kept away from Other Stenopus. It is territorial toward its own kind and is best kept singly or as an established bonded pair.
Breeding
Breeding requires a planktonic larval stage, generally in brackish or marine water, which makes captive reproduction very difficult and rarely achieved in home aquaria.
Breeding the Golden Coral Banded Shrimp (Stenopus scutellatus)
Overview
Stenopus scutellatus is a small boxer shrimp of the western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, distinguished by a yellow carapace and abdomen, white antennae, red-and-white arms and paired red spots on the rear abdomen. It is uncommon in the aquarium trade.
Sexing
Belonging to Stenopodidae, it has separate sexes rather than hermaphroditism. As in related boxer shrimp, the larger, egg-carrying individual is the female; the species is territorial toward other Stenopus.
Conditioning
It is best kept singly or as a bonded pair, since it will not tolerate other Stenopus in the same space. Stable reef conditions (about 24–26 °C, pH 8.1–8.4) with regular feeding maintain a settled pair.
Spawning & Berried Females
Following the family pattern, a bonded pair spawns within its territory and the female broods the egg mass beneath her abdomen on the pleopods until the larvae hatch and enter the plankton.
Larval Care
The larvae are planktonic, mirroring the well-studied S. hispidus, whose larval phase extends over many months. Carrying such larvae to settlement would require continuous live-food cultures and stable water over a long period.
Common Challenges
As with other boxer shrimp, the decisive barrier is the extended planktonic larval phase rather than pairing. Successful home rearing of this species is therefore very rarely reported.