Boxing Shrimp - Stenopus hispidus
Boxing Shrimp (Stenopus hispidus)
The Boxing Shrimp is a striking ornamental marine shrimp, also widely known as the Coral Banded Shrimp or Boxer Shrimp. It is instantly recognisable by its bold red-and-white banding, long white antennae and oversized front claws. In the wild it lives on coral reefs and rocky bottoms, usually tucked into crevices and overhangs, and it may also act as a cleaner by removing parasites and dead tissue from fish. In aquaria it is hardy and full of character, but it can be territorial towards other shrimps and very small tankmates, so it is best chosen with compatibility in mind.
Common Name:
Boxing Shrimp, also commonly sold as Coral Banded Shrimp or Boxer Shrimp.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Stenopus hispidus
Maximum Size:
Up to 6–10 cm, with many aquarium references placing it around 6 cm, while some trade references note larger specimens of around 10 cm / 4 inches.
Water Type:
Marine.
Origin / Natural Habitat:
A pan-tropical species found across the Indo-Pacific and Western Atlantic, living on coral reefs, rocky bottoms, reef overhangs and deep crevices.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 22–26°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: 1.023–1.025 SG
Temperament:
Generally peaceful with fish, but territorial towards similar shrimps and potentially aggressive to very small crustaceans in confined systems. It is often best kept singly or as a true pair introduced together.
Diet:
Omnivorous / carnivorous scavenger. Offer a varied diet of small meaty foods such as mysis, enriched brineshrimp, plankton and finely chopped seafood. It will also scavenge uneaten food and may perform cleaning behaviour with fish.
Minimum Tank Size:
50 litres minimum, although larger aquaria are preferable if keeping it with other shrimps or delicate tankmates.
Behaviour & Activity:
Usually found perched on ledges or tucked into caves and crevices, this species can be shy at first but becomes a very characterful aquarium inhabitant once settled. It may establish a cleaning station, wave its antennae to signal fish, and is known for its distinctive “boxing” stance with its enlarged claws.
Reef Safe:
Reef safe with CautionIt is often sold as reef safe, but caution is sensible. It can be aggressive towards other shrimps and small crustaceans, may be a threat to very small fish, and can sometimes irritate corals by stealing food from them. Monitor carefully if kept with ornamental shrimps, tiny gobies or delicate feeding corals.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a well-established marine aquarium with plenty of rockwork, caves and shaded crevices. Like other shrimps, it is sensitive to rapid salinity swings and does not tolerate copper-based medications. Magnesium and iodine are also important for successful moulting.
Suitable for:
Beginner to Intermediate marine keepers. Trade sources describe it as hardy, easy to care for and suitable for beginners, though compatibility still needs thought.
Availability:
Regular in trade.
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Boxing Shrimp - Stenopus hispidus
Boxing Shrimp - Stenopus hispidus
Boxing Shrimp (Stenopus hispidus)
The Boxing Shrimp is a striking ornamental marine shrimp, also widely known as the Coral Banded Shrimp or Boxer Shrimp. It is instantly recognisable by its bold red-and-white banding, long white antennae and oversized front claws. In the wild it lives on coral reefs and rocky bottoms, usually tucked into crevices and overhangs, and it may also act as a cleaner by removing parasites and dead tissue from fish. In aquaria it is hardy and full of character, but it can be territorial towards other shrimps and very small tankmates, so it is best chosen with compatibility in mind.
Common Name:
Boxing Shrimp, also commonly sold as Coral Banded Shrimp or Boxer Shrimp.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Stenopus hispidus
Maximum Size:
Up to 6–10 cm, with many aquarium references placing it around 6 cm, while some trade references note larger specimens of around 10 cm / 4 inches.
Water Type:
Marine.
Origin / Natural Habitat:
A pan-tropical species found across the Indo-Pacific and Western Atlantic, living on coral reefs, rocky bottoms, reef overhangs and deep crevices.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 22–26°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: 1.023–1.025 SG
Temperament:
Generally peaceful with fish, but territorial towards similar shrimps and potentially aggressive to very small crustaceans in confined systems. It is often best kept singly or as a true pair introduced together.
Diet:
Omnivorous / carnivorous scavenger. Offer a varied diet of small meaty foods such as mysis, enriched brineshrimp, plankton and finely chopped seafood. It will also scavenge uneaten food and may perform cleaning behaviour with fish.
Minimum Tank Size:
50 litres minimum, although larger aquaria are preferable if keeping it with other shrimps or delicate tankmates.
Behaviour & Activity:
Usually found perched on ledges or tucked into caves and crevices, this species can be shy at first but becomes a very characterful aquarium inhabitant once settled. It may establish a cleaning station, wave its antennae to signal fish, and is known for its distinctive “boxing” stance with its enlarged claws.
Reef Safe:
Reef safe with CautionIt is often sold as reef safe, but caution is sensible. It can be aggressive towards other shrimps and small crustaceans, may be a threat to very small fish, and can sometimes irritate corals by stealing food from them. Monitor carefully if kept with ornamental shrimps, tiny gobies or delicate feeding corals.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a well-established marine aquarium with plenty of rockwork, caves and shaded crevices. Like other shrimps, it is sensitive to rapid salinity swings and does not tolerate copper-based medications. Magnesium and iodine are also important for successful moulting.
Suitable for:
Beginner to Intermediate marine keepers. Trade sources describe it as hardy, easy to care for and suitable for beginners, though compatibility still needs thought.
Availability:
Regular in trade.
Original: $22.98
-65%$22.98
$8.04Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Description
Boxing Shrimp (Stenopus hispidus)
The Boxing Shrimp is a striking ornamental marine shrimp, also widely known as the Coral Banded Shrimp or Boxer Shrimp. It is instantly recognisable by its bold red-and-white banding, long white antennae and oversized front claws. In the wild it lives on coral reefs and rocky bottoms, usually tucked into crevices and overhangs, and it may also act as a cleaner by removing parasites and dead tissue from fish. In aquaria it is hardy and full of character, but it can be territorial towards other shrimps and very small tankmates, so it is best chosen with compatibility in mind.
Common Name:
Boxing Shrimp, also commonly sold as Coral Banded Shrimp or Boxer Shrimp.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Stenopus hispidus
Maximum Size:
Up to 6–10 cm, with many aquarium references placing it around 6 cm, while some trade references note larger specimens of around 10 cm / 4 inches.
Water Type:
Marine.
Origin / Natural Habitat:
A pan-tropical species found across the Indo-Pacific and Western Atlantic, living on coral reefs, rocky bottoms, reef overhangs and deep crevices.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 22–26°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: 1.023–1.025 SG
Temperament:
Generally peaceful with fish, but territorial towards similar shrimps and potentially aggressive to very small crustaceans in confined systems. It is often best kept singly or as a true pair introduced together.
Diet:
Omnivorous / carnivorous scavenger. Offer a varied diet of small meaty foods such as mysis, enriched brineshrimp, plankton and finely chopped seafood. It will also scavenge uneaten food and may perform cleaning behaviour with fish.
Minimum Tank Size:
50 litres minimum, although larger aquaria are preferable if keeping it with other shrimps or delicate tankmates.
Behaviour & Activity:
Usually found perched on ledges or tucked into caves and crevices, this species can be shy at first but becomes a very characterful aquarium inhabitant once settled. It may establish a cleaning station, wave its antennae to signal fish, and is known for its distinctive “boxing” stance with its enlarged claws.
Reef Safe:
Reef safe with CautionIt is often sold as reef safe, but caution is sensible. It can be aggressive towards other shrimps and small crustaceans, may be a threat to very small fish, and can sometimes irritate corals by stealing food from them. Monitor carefully if kept with ornamental shrimps, tiny gobies or delicate feeding corals.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a well-established marine aquarium with plenty of rockwork, caves and shaded crevices. Like other shrimps, it is sensitive to rapid salinity swings and does not tolerate copper-based medications. Magnesium and iodine are also important for successful moulting.
Suitable for:
Beginner to Intermediate marine keepers. Trade sources describe it as hardy, easy to care for and suitable for beginners, though compatibility still needs thought.
Availability:
Regular in trade.
