Description

🦐 Sexy Shrimp (Thor amboinensis)

Vibrant | Social | Reef-Compatible Nano Invertebrate

The Sexy Shrimp, also known as the Squat Anemone Shrimp, is a captivating addition to nano and reef aquariums. Renowned for its distinctive “dancing” motion—waving its abdomen rhythmically—this tiny shrimp brings dynamic movement and charm to any marine setup.(Reef Jar)

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✅ Key Features:

• Size: Up to 0.8 inches (2 cm)
• Temperament: Peaceful and social; thrives in groups
• Diet: Omnivorous—feeds on meaty foods like mysis shrimp and brine shrimp, as well as algae-based options
• Reef Compatibility: Generally reef-safe; may occasionally nip at certain coral polyps if underfed
• Tank Size: Minimum 5 gallons (19 liters); larger tanks recommended for groups(Reef Jar, Indoor Ecosystem)

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🌿 Habitat & Behavior:

• Natural Habitat: Commonly found in the Indo-Pacific region, residing symbiotically with sea anemones and certain corals
• Aquarium Setup: Prefers tanks with ample live rock, sandy substrates, and host anemones or soft corals for shelter
• Social Behavior: Highly social; best kept in groups of three or more to encourage natural behaviors(Indoor Ecosystem, Reef Jar)

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🧪 Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 75–82°F (24–28°C)
• Salinity: 1.023–1.025
• pH: 8.1–8.4
• Nitrates: Below 10 ppm
• Ammonia/Nitrites: Undetectable levels(Indoor Ecosystem, Wikipedia)

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🍽️ Feeding:

Sexy Shrimp are omnivores and benefit from a varied diet:

• Meaty Foods: Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood
• Algae-Based Foods: Nori, spirulina flakes
• Feeding Frequency: Once or twice daily; ensure they are well-fed to prevent potential coral nipping(Reef Jar)

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🤝 Compatibility:

• Ideal Tank Mates: Peaceful fish like gobies and clownfish; other small, non-aggressive invertebrates
• Caution With: Avoid housing with large predatory fish or aggressive crustaceans
• Coral Interaction: Generally safe, but may irritate certain corals like Zoanthids if underfed(Reef Jar, Indoor Ecosystem)

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🤝 Sexy Shrimp Compatibility Chart

Tank Mate Type	Compatibility	Notes
Peaceful Nano Fish	✅ Excellent	Gobies, firefish, clownfish (small species), chromis
Small Reef-Safe Wrasses	✅ With Caution	Fairy wrasses or flasher wrasses are okay if not aggressive
Larger Fish (e.g. Tangs)	⚠️ Risky	May ignore shrimp or see them as food, especially in smaller tanks
Predatory Fish (e.g. Hawkfish, Lionfish, Triggers)	❌ Not Safe	Will hunt or eat Sexy Shrimp
Other Shrimp (e.g. Skunk Cleaner, Peppermint)	✅ Compatible	Peaceful coexistence, especially in larger tanks
Aggressive Crustaceans (e.g. Coral Banded Shrimp, Large Crabs)	❌ Not Safe	Can be territorial or predatory
Snails & Small Inverts	✅ Safe	Sexy Shrimp ignore snails, micro inverts
Anemones & Coral Hosts	✅ Preferred	Symbiotic with some LPS/soft corals and small anemones like rock flower
SPS Corals	✅ Mostly Safe	May perch on them; unlikely to cause harm if well-fed
Zoanthids & Polyps	⚠️ Occasionally Nip	May irritate if underfed; provide ample food to reduce the risk
Other Sexy Shrimp	✅ Best in Groups	Social species; thrives in small groups (3+ recommended)

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📝 Tips for Successful Coexistence:

• Ensure plenty of hiding places (rockwork, caves, coral heads)
• Avoid fast or aggressive tank mates
• Feed regularly to prevent any opportunistic coral nipping
• Pair with nano reef setups or peaceful communities
• Host corals/anemones will increase comfort and natural behavior

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🧬 Breeding:

While breeding Sexy Shrimp in captivity is possible, it requires specific conditions:(Reef Jar)

• Breeding Setup: Dedicated breeding tank with stable water parameters
• Larval Care: Larvae are planktonic and require specialized feeding and protection from filtration systems(AquaInfo)

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The Sexy Shrimp is an excellent choice for aquarists seeking a lively and visually appealing invertebrate. Its unique behavior and compatibility with nano reef setups make it a favorite among marine enthusiasts.

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