Contents
The marine aquarium is home to a wide variety of creatures, with arthropods being one of the major groups. Among these, shrimp are probably the most popular, so today, let’s talk about shrimp.
In our marine aquariums, shrimp mainly serve two purposes: ornamental and functional. Almost all shrimp species can eat organic waste, and some even feed on algae. To help you get to know them better, I’ve categorized and introduced some of the most common shrimp species. I hope you’ll consider adding more shrimp to your tank.
1. Cleaner Shrimp
Common Shrimp Species in Marine Aquariums – Cleaner Shrimp
Cleaner shrimp, also known as doctor shrimp, are a staple in marine aquariums and are extremely popular. They are loved by aquarium hobbyists for their beautiful appearance, long antennae, and graceful movements. They tend to gather in groups around caves, with their bellies up, swaying from side to side in a dancing motion, which is very charming. I also have a fondness for cleaner shrimp and have kept them for a long time.
The reason they are called “doctor” shrimp is because, in the wild, they have a habit of cleaning fish by removing parasites, dead tissue, and other debris from their bodies. Fish that are unwell or have parasites will actively seek out cleaner shrimp for “treatment.” The shrimp will open their gill covers and mouths, allowing the cleaner shrimp to “clean” them. If you extend your hand, the shrimp may even come up to “clean” you too.
Cleaner shrimp are easy to care for and eat almost anything. They love meat from their own species as well. They don’t need to be actively fed as they will scavenge food particles in the tank. Healthy cleaner shrimp molt every 10 days to two weeks, and this is the most vulnerable time for them. They are more susceptible to attacks, and if the tank lacks iodine, they may die after molting. If you notice their antennae becoming bent, it could be a sign of iodine deficiency.
It’s worth noting that cleaner shrimp are known to carry eggs, but don’t expect them to hatch in a home aquarium, as we can’t provide the right environment for breeding. Also, if you have a five-armed starfish, be sure to put it back upright. Otherwise, the cleaner shrimp may start hollowing out the starfish from the back.
2. Fire Shrimp
Common Shrimp Species in Marine Aquariums – Fire Shrimp
Fire shrimp are another ornamental shrimp species. They are bright red with white antennae and legs, resembling shrimp wearing long white boots, which makes them incredibly cute. The care requirements for fire shrimp are similar to those of cleaner shrimp, but they are a little more shy and their price is generally higher.
However, unlike cleaner shrimp, fire shrimp tend to be territorial. You should not keep two fire shrimp in a small space, as they will fight. The defeated shrimp may lose antennae or even legs (which will regrow after a couple of molts). In larger spaces, however, two fire shrimp can coexist peacefully.
3. Mantis Shrimp
Common Shrimp Species in Marine Aquariums – Mantis Shrimp
Mantis shrimp are known for their beautiful appearance, especially their long, formidable claws. These shrimp are highly aggressive and territorial. Not only do they fight among themselves, but they will also attack other species, including fish, especially when the fish are sleeping at night. Therefore, be cautious when keeping mantis shrimp in your marine aquarium.
4. Clown Shrimp
Common Shrimp Species in Marine Aquariums – Clown Shrimp
Clown shrimp are considered one of the most beautiful creatures on Earth, with colors that range from blue to purple and brown, and stunning patterns on their bodies. They also have large, prominent pincers that look quite imposing but are of no real use. Despite their beauty, clown shrimp are difficult to care for and expensive. The reason for this is that their diet consists solely of sea stars.
A single clown shrimp can consume a sea star in just a few days, and they eat the sea star slowly, which can be quite painful to watch. Clown shrimp should be kept in groups, but even so, they are difficult to keep alive for a long time in our aquariums.
5. Pistol Shrimp
Common Shrimp Species in Marine Aquariums – Pistol Shrimp
Pistol shrimp come in many varieties, but their most distinct feature is their large claw, which is about half their body length. The most common pistol shrimp in aquariums is the tiger pistol shrimp. These shrimp are boring if kept alone, as they often have a symbiotic relationship with gobies. This makes them interesting to observe, so they are also called “symbiotic shrimp.”
Pistol shrimp have poor vision and cannot detect nearby danger, but they can dig tunnels. Gobies, however, have excellent vision but cannot dig. So, the pistol shrimp and goby form a mutually beneficial partnership: the shrimp digs tunnels while the goby acts as a lookout. The shrimp keeps one antenna touching the goby, and if there’s any danger, the goby signals them to hide in the tunnel.
Unfortunately, the pistol shrimp and goby may forget their symbiotic relationship after being shipped to your tank, and it may take some time for them to reconnect.
6. Camel Shrimp
Common Shrimp Species in Marine Aquariums – Camel Shrimp
Also known as “mechanical shrimp,” camel shrimp are common in marine aquariums. They are easy to care for and have a gentle temperament. They are not particularly shy and can be kept in groups, offering both ornamental value and functional benefits as they help clean up food scraps in the tank.
7. Peppermint Shrimp
Common Shrimp Species in Marine Aquariums – Peppermint Shrimp
Peppermint shrimp are diligent cleaners. Not only do they clean food scraps, but they will also target and eliminate harmful algae, such as the dreaded “Aiptasia” anemone. This makes them highly sought after by aquarium enthusiasts. Fortunately, peppermint shrimp have now been successfully bred in captivity, and some hobbyists sell them regularly in online forums.
8. Sexy Shrimp
Common Shrimp Species in Marine Aquariums – Sexy Shrimp
Sexy shrimp are symbiotic shrimp that live in anemones, earning their name from their “sexy” appearance. They can often be found living in groups within a single sea anemone. Sexy shrimp are carnivorous and will feed on leftover food scraps from the anemone. They are small and often difficult to spot unless you’re really looking for them.
9. White-Whiskered Lobster
Common Shrimp Species in Marine Aquariums – White-Whiskered Lobster
The white-whiskered lobster is a striking and formidable-looking shrimp, resembling the character “Whitebeard” from the manga One Piece. These lobsters are nocturnal and usually stay hidden during the day, extending their long whiskers outside their hideout. At night, they venture out to hunt for food. They are relatively easy to care for, but if they don’t get enough food, they may resort to catching fish at night.
10. Faux Sheep Shrimp
Common Shrimp Species in Marine Aquariums – Faux Sheep Shrimp
Faux sheep shrimp are the workhorses of the shrimp world. Though they may not look attractive, they eat a lot and are almost always eating. Their diet mainly consists of algae, and they will constantly nibble on algae growing on rocks. I have about 8-10 faux sheep shrimp in my tank, and there is almost no algae growing larger than 1mm on the rocks, thanks to their diligent work.
Faux sheep shrimp are shy and prefer to hide in shady spots, blending in with the live rock. Although they are hard to spot, their contribution to controlling algae in the tank cannot be overstated. I recommend keeping at least 10 of them in your tank.
This concludes the summary of the 10 most common shrimp species in marine aquariums. I hope you find this information helpful!