TankBud

Camel / dancing shrimp

Rhynchocinetes durbanensis

Also known as Hinge-beak Shrimp, Candy Shrimp

SaltwaterShrimp

Camel / dancing shrimp (Rhynchocinetes durbanensis)
Jens Petersen · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
2 in
5 cm
Minimum tank
16 gal
60 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Omnivore
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Very common
Reef safe
Reef safe with caution
Family
Rhynchocinetidae
Origin
Indo-West Pacific (South Africa to Japan and the Philippines)

Overview

The camel shrimp, also called the dancing shrimp, is a cheap, hardy scavenger for a rocky reef tank. It is easy to keep.

Did you know

The camel shrimp's eyes are made of thousands of individual facets that give it strong low-light vision. That is why most of its jerky, rocking "dancing" walk happens well after dark.

Caring for the camel / dancing shrimp

Give camel shrimp a tank of 16 gal (60 L) or more, with plenty of rockwork and shaded hiding spots. They are mostly nocturnal, hiding by day and coming out to scavenge after the lights go off. Keep the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4.

A camel shrimp is a true omnivore and a decent, opportunistic scavenger. It is reef safe only with caution. When there is not enough uneaten food around, it will pick at soft corals, zoanthids and colonial anemone polyps.

Camel shrimp are peaceful toward fish and other shrimp. They do best in a small group of four to six rather than as a single specimen. They are easily confused with peppermint shrimp on a store shelf, so take a close look before buying.

Good to know

The camel shrimp is named for the humped, camel-like curve of its back. Its long, hinged rostrum angles up from its face, which is where the hinge-beak shrimp name comes from. Red and white banding and large red eyes make it easy to identify. It is sometimes mistaken for the more predatory banded shrimp species. It is also sold as the candy shrimp.

In the wild

The camel shrimp is native to the Indo-West Pacific. Its range runs from South Africa and the Red Sea through India and Southeast Asia to Japan and the Philippines. It lives on shallow, rocky reefs from about 5 to 35 m, tucked into caves, overhangs and crevices in loose groups.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The camel / dancing shrimp is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a camel / dancing shrimp need?

A camel / dancing shrimp needs at least 16 gal (60 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a camel / dancing shrimp need?

A camel / dancing shrimp is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does a camel / dancing shrimp eat?

A camel shrimp is a true omnivore and an opportunistic scavenger that comes out after the lights go off. If there is not enough uneaten food around, it will pick at soft corals, zoanthids and colonial anemone polyps.

How big does a camel / dancing shrimp get?

An adult camel / dancing shrimp reaches about 2 in (5 cm).

Related species