Range: All tropical seas

Natural Environment: Coral reef environments and generally wherever there are caves and holes

General Husbandry: Has a temperature range of 71 to 83°F (21 - 28°C). It is one of the favorites among aquarists. They are easily kept in the reef aquarium when there is sufficient caves and hiding places. Yet, can do harm to corals and anemones when there is insufficient food. Attains a maximum size of 4 inches (10 cm), and are equipped with three pair of walking legs, with two very strong pincers. They come from the Atlantic, Pacific, and the Indian Ocean. They will also set up cleaning stations, but seem to be infrequent cleaners in the aquarium. Should be maintained singly or in mated pairs. The female has a heavier body, carries her eggs for about two weeks under her shell. The eggs can usually be seen through the shell where they are first a yellow color, then turn a light green. When the female molts, about every 16 days, the eggs are fertilized by the male. The eggs are hatched in the female's mouth in small numbers about two weeks later, and released into the water column. The baby shrimp are half the size of newly hatched brine shrimp and can live on their yolk sac for three days. Rotifers are a good food supply until the babies can take larger food. The adults will accept defrosted pieces of clam, shrimp, Krill, fresh fish flesh, or live brine shrimp. However, it's not really considered a shrimp! It's considered more a lobster-like creature, as all species are in this infraorder.