Saltwater Aquarium Guide -- Shrimp

Shrimp:

Shrimp make interesting and colorful additions to an aquarium. Shrimp belong to the order Decapoda and the suborder Natantia. Those of interest to the aquarium belong to one of the following families: Hippolytidae (Cleaner Shrimp), Alpheidae (Pistol Shrimp), Gnathophyllidae (Harlequin Shrimp), Palaemoninae (Rock/Anemone Shrimp), Rhynchocinetidae (Dancing Shrimp), or Stenopodidae (Boxing Shrimp). Each family has many genera and species, over 9,000. In the wild, some species can grow as large as 10 feet across, but most are in the 2" to 3" size.

Found in almost every aquatic environment, most rely on stealth and camouflage for protection. Others have taken on cleaning duties, actively removing parasites from fish. Fish realize the importance of these cleaners and frequent the Shrimp's cleaning site. One type of Shrimp lives in symbiotic relationship with Gobies, another type with Anemones. Most are generally found in pairs or large aggregates.

Shrimp have a hard outer shell (carapace) that must be shed (molted) for the Shrimp to grow. After molting, the Shrimp is vulnerable until the new carapace hardens. For this reason, the aquarium will need lots of rock work in which the Shrimp can hide. Many will claim a cave or overhang as their home, with just their antennae sticking out into the aquarium.

Since most Shrimp are scavengers, they will eagerly accept freeze-dried, live or frozen foods, and flaked foods.

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