Sexy Shrimp

The Sexy Shrimp gets its name from its unique body movement when it walks.  This unique movement has also led it to be referred to as the Dancing Shrimp and the Hightailed Shrimp.  It is a fairly small shrimp, rarely growing larger than 1.5”.  It has a reddish brown body with bright white spots.  It’s tail is carried at a very high angle, giving this shrimp a unique appearance.  It’s small claws are used to pick meaty foods from the rockwork and substrate, rather than to subdue prey or fight off predators.

This shrimp is native to the reefs of the Indo-Pacific region.  It forms a symbiotic relationship with anemones and is often found living within the anemone’s tentacles.  In return, the anemone benefits by eating the shrimp’s leftover food.  In a home aquarium they will often enter into this relationship with an anemone if one is available, but they will live quite well in a home aquarium without an anemone.  Regardless of whether or not there is an available anemone, the Sexy Shrimp requires ample live rock for foraging as well as hiding when necessary.

The Sexy Shrimp is generally kept for its unique colouration and interesting manner of movement.  It is a fairly bold shrimp and can usually be seen foraging throughout the tank.  It really is a joy to watch them move around the aquarium.  It is a peaceful shrimp and poses no threat to any other reef inhabitants.  They will eat a varied diet that includes flaked, frozen and meaty foods.

Despite their small size they are fast growers and will molt about once a month.  Like all invertebrates they are intolerant of copper based medications and should be acclimatized slowly.