This thread will be all about the Golden Coral Banded Shrimp (Stenopus zanzibaricus) vs the Purple Coral Banded shrimp (Stenopus tenuirostris). Both of these shrimp are also commonly referred to as Boxing Shrimp. We will be excluding the normal CBS (Stenopus hispidus).
To many sites and forums lack any legitimate posts on JUST these two shrimp not including the much larger and more aggressive Coral Banded shrimp. I would like to hear stories, experiences, and any legitimate information regarding either the Gold or Purple coral banded shrimp and NOT the normal CBS. I hope this will help future reefers and aquarium owners interested in inverts to help make the right choice regarding each of these shrimp. Each species is clearly very different than the other in terms of personality, size, and aggression - at least this is what we find through the small amount of info in the web.
In the meantime I will post my own personal experience and some general information about each species. I have had both the Purple CBS and currently have a GCBS in my FLuval Evo 13.5 gallon mixed reef. The Purple CBS was one of my favorite additions in terms of shrimp I ever have. It had live for a few years although rarely made it out to the front of the tank during the day. In fact I would go months without seeing it - making the appearance that more special. The shrimp never caused any problems and was the uttermost peaceful tank mate. It did not grow to large - about an inch at most.
The Golden CBS I currently have had for around 2 months. It seems a bit larger than the Purple CBS. It is living with a Skunk Cleaner and a Randalls pistol shrimp along with many hermits and snails / small fish with no problem. This is what confuses me. The information I have found on the web TOTALLY contradicts the personality of the shrimp which seems extremely similar to the Purple CBS. I have heard they can get quite aggressive and pick on smaller tank mates. The only aggression I have seen is when a hermit starts intruding into the burrow the shrimp has made a home with. He tries to push them away but the hermits just ignore it most of the time anyway. I also had a very small Yasha Goby stay with the Golden CBS in the burrow for a few days before I got a pistol. The yasha clearly thought it was a pistol shrimp. The GCBS did not seem happy but did not even pick a single fin of the goby and just let it stay there. The shrimp easily could have made a meal of the fish. I plan on adding some Sexy Shrimp and other smaller commensal shrimp. I hope for the best but am adding them because I am thinking all will be fine.
Information Online
Purple CBS:
Care Level: Easy
Aggressiveness: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 75-82° F, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Maximum Size: 1.5”
Compatibility to other species: Do not house with fish that will hunt shrimp, such as groupers, anglers or lion fish.
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Potential Lifespan: 3+ years
Family: Stenopodidea
This is a much better alternative to Stenopus hispidus as the blue coral banded is much smaller and therefore much more peaceful and less prone to attack. It is actually curious why this species is not as popular as S. hispidus. This shrimp is nocturnal, and will remain reclusive during the day. They will also act as a cleaner shrimp, ridding you fish of parasites. Additionally, the blue coral banded is an attractive part of your cleanup crew as they will help eradicate pests in you tank. Do not keep this species with other of their own kind as fighting will follow. You may have them in mated pairs. This shrimp can be put with other peaceful shrimp, however be cautious when placing this shrimp with a smaller species of shrimp, as the smaller species may be killed. This shrimp will scavenge for food, you may also supplement their feeding with shrimp pellets and meaty foods, such as raw shrimp or fish.
Golden CBS:
Care Level: Easy
Aggressiveness: Aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 75-82° F, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Maximum Size: 3”
Compatibility to other species: Do not house with fish that will hunt shrimp, such as groupers, anglers or lion fish. This species will not tolerate others of its own kind, other shrimp, and will kill small and methodical fish
Origin: Caribbean and Indo-Pacific
Potential Lifespan: 3+ years
Family: Stenopodidea
Much like their cousin, Stenopus hispidus, these shrimp are very aggressive. They will often kill small fish and will kill shrimp. They are very territorial and will not tolerate members of their own species unless it is a mated pair. I do not recommend these shrimp for any set up except for a species specific tank, or you know you will ONLY have large fish (that will not eat them) and clen up crew (absent of any other shrimp of course.) However, be aware they may injure your larger fish as well. When young, these shrimp will provide a cleaning service for your fish, but as they get older, they become more aggressive and are less likely to clean your fish. They will also rid you tank of many pests, and are known for eradicating bristle worm populations in very short order.
To many sites and forums lack any legitimate posts on JUST these two shrimp not including the much larger and more aggressive Coral Banded shrimp. I would like to hear stories, experiences, and any legitimate information regarding either the Gold or Purple coral banded shrimp and NOT the normal CBS. I hope this will help future reefers and aquarium owners interested in inverts to help make the right choice regarding each of these shrimp. Each species is clearly very different than the other in terms of personality, size, and aggression - at least this is what we find through the small amount of info in the web.
In the meantime I will post my own personal experience and some general information about each species. I have had both the Purple CBS and currently have a GCBS in my FLuval Evo 13.5 gallon mixed reef. The Purple CBS was one of my favorite additions in terms of shrimp I ever have. It had live for a few years although rarely made it out to the front of the tank during the day. In fact I would go months without seeing it - making the appearance that more special. The shrimp never caused any problems and was the uttermost peaceful tank mate. It did not grow to large - about an inch at most.
The Golden CBS I currently have had for around 2 months. It seems a bit larger than the Purple CBS. It is living with a Skunk Cleaner and a Randalls pistol shrimp along with many hermits and snails / small fish with no problem. This is what confuses me. The information I have found on the web TOTALLY contradicts the personality of the shrimp which seems extremely similar to the Purple CBS. I have heard they can get quite aggressive and pick on smaller tank mates. The only aggression I have seen is when a hermit starts intruding into the burrow the shrimp has made a home with. He tries to push them away but the hermits just ignore it most of the time anyway. I also had a very small Yasha Goby stay with the Golden CBS in the burrow for a few days before I got a pistol. The yasha clearly thought it was a pistol shrimp. The GCBS did not seem happy but did not even pick a single fin of the goby and just let it stay there. The shrimp easily could have made a meal of the fish. I plan on adding some Sexy Shrimp and other smaller commensal shrimp. I hope for the best but am adding them because I am thinking all will be fine.
Information Online
Purple CBS:
Care Level: Easy
Aggressiveness: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 75-82° F, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Maximum Size: 1.5”
Compatibility to other species: Do not house with fish that will hunt shrimp, such as groupers, anglers or lion fish.
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Potential Lifespan: 3+ years
Family: Stenopodidea
This is a much better alternative to Stenopus hispidus as the blue coral banded is much smaller and therefore much more peaceful and less prone to attack. It is actually curious why this species is not as popular as S. hispidus. This shrimp is nocturnal, and will remain reclusive during the day. They will also act as a cleaner shrimp, ridding you fish of parasites. Additionally, the blue coral banded is an attractive part of your cleanup crew as they will help eradicate pests in you tank. Do not keep this species with other of their own kind as fighting will follow. You may have them in mated pairs. This shrimp can be put with other peaceful shrimp, however be cautious when placing this shrimp with a smaller species of shrimp, as the smaller species may be killed. This shrimp will scavenge for food, you may also supplement their feeding with shrimp pellets and meaty foods, such as raw shrimp or fish.
Golden CBS:
Care Level: Easy
Aggressiveness: Aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 75-82° F, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Maximum Size: 3”
Compatibility to other species: Do not house with fish that will hunt shrimp, such as groupers, anglers or lion fish. This species will not tolerate others of its own kind, other shrimp, and will kill small and methodical fish
Origin: Caribbean and Indo-Pacific
Potential Lifespan: 3+ years
Family: Stenopodidea
Much like their cousin, Stenopus hispidus, these shrimp are very aggressive. They will often kill small fish and will kill shrimp. They are very territorial and will not tolerate members of their own species unless it is a mated pair. I do not recommend these shrimp for any set up except for a species specific tank, or you know you will ONLY have large fish (that will not eat them) and clen up crew (absent of any other shrimp of course.) However, be aware they may injure your larger fish as well. When young, these shrimp will provide a cleaning service for your fish, but as they get older, they become more aggressive and are less likely to clean your fish. They will also rid you tank of many pests, and are known for eradicating bristle worm populations in very short order.