Stenopus hispidus (M tag) Among the various crustaceans available in the marine aquarium trade, one of the most popular and easiest to keep is the Stenopus hispidus, or more commonly the boxer shrimp. The wide availability of this shrimp and its generally very affordable price can be attributed to its vast natural distribution, which includes all tropical seas. Physical Appearance: The Stenopus hispidus is white with distinct red bands on its body and three pairs of claws. It has long, flowing white antennae. The third pair of claws is noticeably oversized compared to the others (giving it the "boxer" posture, hence its name). It has rather powerful pincers. The maximum length for the species is about 7 centimeters (not counting the antennae), although most specimens do not reach that size for an aquarium. Feeding the Stenopus hispidus The Stenopus hispidus is not a picky eater and will readily accept any appropriately sized food, including dry foods and pellets. This species often enjoys cleaning other fish. This behavior is highly subjective, so it may even become disinterested in other fish. Ideal Aquarium The Stenopus hispidus requires plenty of rocky overhangs, caves, and crevices to shelter in. It is often found clinging to the underside of rocks in an upside-down position. As for aquarium size, it doesn't require a particularly large tank, but I would recommend a medium-sized one (say, around 100 liters). This shrimp is very sensitive to water chemistry changes and, therefore, will benefit from the stability that larger aquariums provide. It is also essential to acclimate these shrimp to the new aquarium conditions very slowly. Compatibility A pair of these shrimp can only be kept together if you are certain you will acquire the pair already formed. Otherwise, keep only one in the aquarium. Furthermore, the boxer shrimp can pose a threat to other small crustaceans (such as hermit crabs and other cleaner wrasses) and even small fish. So choose its tankmates carefully. On the other hand, the boxer shrimp is at risk of being eaten by voracious or crustacean-eating fish, such as lionfish. In other words, when it comes to tankmates, you need to choose between those small enough to be eaten by the shrimp and those large enough to eat the boxer shrimp (or those with teeth capable of tearing the shrimp to pieces). As for coral safety, the boxer shrimp is a bit fickle. There may be cases where the shrimp proves harmless to the reef, but there are also cases where these shrimp attack corals and anemones. The best advice I can give in this regard is to be cautious when introducing one of these shrimp into a reef system. Observe the specimen carefully once added to the tank. If the Stenopus hispidus proves to be a threat to sessile invertebrates, be prepared to remove it as soon as possible.
