Zanzibar Boxer Shrimp care guide
Zanzibar Boxer Shrimp (Stenopus zanzibaricus) — minimum tank 80 L, temperature 24-26 °C, pH 8.1-8.4.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Zanzibar Boxer Shrimp (Stenopus zanzibaricus) is a marine boxer (coral-banded) shrimp of the family Stenopodidae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as an intermediate-level species. African Stenopus with golden-yellow body and red-banded claws. Smaller than hispidus but similarly territorial.
Taxonomy
- Family: Stenopodidae
- Genus: Stenopus
- Scientific name: Stenopus zanzibaricus
- Common synonyms: Zanzibar Coral Banded
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 Western Indian Ocean, East Africa.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L (21.1 US gal)
- Adult size: 4-6 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 semi-aggressive. Suitable tank mates include Larger 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 Zanzibar Boxer Shrimp (Stenopus zanzibaricus)
Overview
Stenopus zanzibaricus is a small boxer shrimp of the Indo-West Pacific, originating in the Kenya–Zanzibar region of East Africa. It is recognised by red antennae, a white tail and a white abdomen marked with two red bands, and is uncommon in the trade.
Sexing
As a member of Stenopodidae rather than Lysmata, this species has separate sexes and is not hermaphroditic. Following the family pattern, females are expected to be the larger, egg-bearing sex; pairs are territorial toward other Stenopus.
Conditioning
The shrimp is kept as a solitary individual or a bonded pair, since it does not tolerate other Stenopus. Stable reef parameters (about 24–26 °C, pH 8.1–8.4) and consistent feeding maintain a settled pair within its territory.
Spawning & Berried Females
In line with the family, a bonded pair spawns within its shared territory and the female carries the egg mass beneath her abdomen on the pleopods until the larvae hatch into the plankton.
Larval Care
The larvae are planktonic, as in the well-documented S. hispidus, whose larval phase runs to many months. A prolonged planktonic period of this kind would require continuous live-food cultures and stable water over an extended span to carry larvae to settlement.
Common Challenges
Securing a compatible pair of this uncommon shrimp is itself a hurdle, and the long Stenopus-type larval phase makes successful home rearing very rare. The larval stage, not pairing, is the decisive obstacle.