Camel Shrimp
Rhynchocinetes durbanensis
Saltwater Invertebrate
Species Group: Shrimp
Family: Rhynchocinetidae
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Water parameters
Temp
76-80 F
Temperature
Maintaining a stable and appropriate temperature is critical for the survival of aquatic life.
pH 7.8 - 8.4 potential of HydrogenMeasuring the acidity or alkalinity of water on a 0–14 scale, where 7 is neutral, 7 is alkaline.
NO3 1-20 ppm NitrateWhile less toxic than ammonia, high nitrate levels (above 40–80 ppm) are important to monitor because they can cause fish stress, stunted growth, and harmful algae blooms.
NO2 <0.0001 ppm NitriteIt is a highly toxic, intermediate compound in the nitrogen cycle produced from broken-down ammonia
PO4 0.01 - 0.1 ppm PhosphateIt is essential for plant development but must be managed, as excess levels trigger nuisance algae blooms and inhibit coral calcification.
NH3 <0.1 ppm AmmoniaIt is the primary killer of aquarium fish, causing gill damage, stress, and death
Ca 380 - 450 ppm CalciumSupporting the growth, skeletal structure, and shell formation of corals, mollusks, crustaceans, and coralline algae
KH 8 - 12 dKH AlkalinityIt acts as a shield, neutralizing acids to prevent dangerous pH "crashes" that can harm fish, corals, and plants.
Mg 1200 - 1400 ppm MagnesiumIt enables coral growth by supporting skeletal formation, assists in metabolic processes, and ensures that calcium is available for corals, clams, and coralline algae.
SG 1.023 - 1.026 SG SalinityEssential for maintaining stable, natural water parameters, proper osmoregulation, and stress-free environments for marine fish and corals
ORP 250 - 400 mV Oxidation-Reduction PotentialA higher positive mV indicates clean, oxygen-rich water with high water quality, while low readings indicate high pollution.
About Camel Shrimp
General information
The Camel Shrimp is also commonly referred to as the Hinge-beak Shrimp, Dancing Shrimp, or Candy Shrimp within the aquarium trade. The Camel Shrimp is distinguished by a movable rostrum (beak) that is usually angled upwards. The Camel Shrimp has a variable pattern of red and white stripes on its body with claws located directly in front of its body. The males of its species tend to have larger chelipeds (claws) than the females.
The Camel Shrimp will generally spend its time savaging the reef for any meaty foods that it can find. While it is in the cleaner shrimp family, the Camel Shrimp is more of a scavenger than a parasite cleaner and is not known for cleaning parasites off of fish.
It prefers to congregate with other shrimp of its kind in rock crevasses, under overhangs, or in the coral rubble. It especially needs hiding places when it is molting. It usually tolerates other shrimp but may nip at colonial anemones, disc anemones, and soft leather corals. It generally leaves bubble coral and stinging anemones alone. It is ideal to keep a small group of Camel Shrimp in the aquarium environment as they prefer to live in small groups, usually in small groups of four to six individuals. A solitary specimen is unlikely to be happy.
They will thrive temperature between 64-77° F.Proper water chemistry should be as follows dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025.
Diet & nutrition
The Camel Shrimp is an omnivore, mostly scavenging food from the substrate. In addition to what it obtains from scavenging, the diet of the Camel Shrimp should consist of any type of meaty prepared foods, such as, flake, frozen, freeze-dried or fresh chopped fish or mussels. Supplemental feedings will only be necessary if there are not enough leftover foods for the Camel Shrimp to scavenge for within the aquarium. Supplement of Calcium, Magnesium, Iodine is necessary for a healthy aquarium.
Determining sex
The males of its species tend to have larger chelipeds (claws) than the females.
Origination
Indo-Pacific.
Cautions
The Camel Shrimp is very sociable and will live peacefully with almost all reef inhabitants; however, it may nip at colonial anemones, disc anemones, and soft leather corals but will generally leave bubble coral and stinging anemones alone.
Camel Shrimp will not tolerate copper or high levels of nitrates in the aquarium, and will also require iodine for proper molting of its carapace.
Acclimation process
As with all shrimps, drip-acclimation is highly recommended due to their sensitivity to changes in water parameters.
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