Coral Banded Shrimp

[Steven91]

I've been wanting a coral banded shrimp in my tank for quite some time, love the looks of them and feel like they would be interesting to keep, though I want to house 2 of them in my 120 gal tank. I've been doing some research and been looking at trying to a get a bonded pair of them but everywhere I look it seems like no one has them. Is it possible to have 2 (that are not a bonded pair) in a tank and not have them kill each other? (or if anyone knows where to get a bonded pair let me know)

 

[UM Aquarium Club]

From my experience it can be a bit tough even with a "bonded pair". We wild collected two that were cohabitating a sponge and they were doing well together for a while but after a couple months in our 150g we believe one ended up killing the other. Not sure exactly why and it may not be an issue with a pair that is used to aquariums or started small rather than a more mature size.

 

[Steven91]

From my experience it can be a bit tough even with a "bonded pair". We wild collected two that were cohabitating a sponge and they were doing well together for a while but after a couple months in our 150g we believe one ended up killing the other. Not sure exactly why and it may not be an issue with a pair that is used to aquariums or started small rather than a more mature size.

that seems to be key is getting them while they are still smaller in size as they get used to being next to each other in a steady environment. if nothing else i might risk getting 2 smaller one of similar size and see what happens

 

[JumboShrimp]

They love to play King-of-the-mountain, so assuming you have rock work on both ends of at least a 4-foot long tank, I would definitely go for it. I would think a 120 would be fine— but I have seen them grab a small unsuspecting Talbot and dine on it. The suggestion about getting 2 fairly small ones can’t hurt— mine molt about every 6 weeks, so you should certainly see growth. :)

 

[Steven91]

They love to play King-of-the-mountain, so assuming you have rock work on both ends of at least a 4-foot long tank, I would definitely go for it. I would think a 120 would be fine— but I have seen them grab a small unsuspecting Talbot and dine on it. The suggestion about getting 2 fairly small ones can’t hurt— mine molt about every 6 weeks, so you should certainly see growth. :)

The way I have my hardscape makes king of the mountain easy for both of them as I have 2 mountains. The only fish I would be worried about would be my small tomini Tang getting picked off

 

[Steven91]

Just got a call from my lfs and they got a bonded pair in!!! Getting them Saturday

 

[peppe_67]

The way I have my hardscape makes king of the mountain easy for both of them as I have 2 mountains. The only fish I would be worried about would be my small tomini Tang getting picked off

Great, hope it works out fine. I've ordered a bonded pair of the blue ones a while back but haven't got them yet.

 

[Steven91]

Great, hope it works out fine. I've ordered a bonded pair of the blue ones a while back but haven't got them yet.

Thanks, it feels like it took me a while to get this pair. I'm excited for them

 

[crow14]

My CBS went after my clown. He quickly found a new home in my sump and thankfully never was able to get a hold of the clown before going down to the sump.

 

[SwiftStorm]

Mine just liked his 3rd fish and will get moved to a spec v until I find him another home. They are great to watch and clean up lots of things. I don't see anymore bristle worms.

Good luck.

 

[Steven91]

got the shrimp today and sadly one did not make it home

 

[JumboShrimp]

That’s odd. You mean it died in the bag? How long a drive?

 

[Steven91]

That’s odd. You mean it died in the bag? How long a drive?

correct, either died in the bag or during acclimation. drive home was maybe about 20 mins and was doing drip acclimation

 

[JumboShrimp]

Then it seems you did your best. Sad, though. Will have to put that in the ‘just one of those things’ column :(

 

[Steven91]

Then it seems you did your best. Sad, though. Will have to put that in the ‘just one of those things’ column :(

yeah, as far i know they couldve fought in the bag or something else, im not gonna worry too much about it

 

[enchiladareef]

I've had some success in the past pairing CBS. The females have green ovaries near the back of their head. Once you know you have a female you need to wait until she molts before you introduce the male. Since she is more vulnerable, she is less likely to kill the male and that is the only time they can breed.

 

[saltyhog]

Mine is incredibly cryptic. I hardly every see him. Usually just see his antennae sticking out of his rock pile during feeding time. Anyway to encourage him to come out? He's been in the tank almost a year.

 

[JumboShrimp]

I’m no better at Coral Band Shrimp psychology than anyone else, but I have noticed that if the rock work is rearranged, they will sometimes find a new ‘favorite spot’ that might just be near the front of the tank, rather than the back. Granted, rearranging rockwork is not practical for everyone :cool:

 

[enchiladareef]

They usually hide during the day. Mine would come out during feeding time mainly and was very active at night. Though when I had my mated pair they were out together a lot more during the day. They would cover each other's backs.