squat anemone shrimp
| Scientific name | Thor amboinensis |
|---|---|
| Descriptor | De Man |
| Year of description | 1888 |
| IUCN category | NE |
| Family | Hippolytidae |
| Genus | Thor |
Introduction
Thor amboinensis, commonly known as squat anemone shrimp, is a little salt water crustacea.
Who is it?
Morphology
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Average size1 cm
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Maximum size3 cm
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Longevity2 year
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Patterntasks
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Average size1 cm
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Maximum size3 cm
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Longevity2 year
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Patterntasks
How to recognize the squat anemone shrimp ?
The squat anemone shrimp measures between 1 and 3 cm. Given its small size, this species is commonly referred to as a "dwarf" animal. this crustacea is bicolore with a predominantly jaune and blanc body. The also has blanc tasks.
Behaviour & Life cycle
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Sociabilityliving as a couple or alone
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territorialNo
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VenomousNo
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Way of livingdiurnal
Like all crustaceans, The squat anemone shrimp molts whenever it becomes cramped in its shell. Before the hardening of its new body, it is more vulnerable and spends a good part of its time hidden. This mechanism, very complex, allows the periodic renewal of the exoskeleton and part of the internal skeleton. It is also during the moult that the females become fertile.
The squat anemone shrimp is a crustacea living as a couple or alone naturally found on the bottom. This species is planctophage . Measuring only a few centimeters, this small species tends to be discreet and hide in the presence of larger neighbors.
Although the squat anemone shrimp is non-territorial, it is sometimes aggressive towards other species.
Reproduction
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Reproductionovipare
The squat anemone shrimp is a crustacea ovipare. this crustacea protects its eggs from nearby predators.
Harmless species
This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.
Where to find it?
Where to see this species?
What is its habitat?
Natural environment characteristics
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Temperature22 - 29 °C
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Depth0 - 60 m
Biotope presentation
The squat anemone shrimp is most often found at a depth between 0m and 60m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.
Main recommendations for fishkeeping
Deontology
In order to preserve wildlife, if you acquire this animal, it must not be released into the wild. See also, the Fishipedia charter.
Fishipedia supports the practice of responsible and environmentally friendly aquarium keeping. We encourage maintenance if it is motivated by a desire to understand the biological functioning of living things and if it is done with respect for animal life.
We believe that aquaristics is an opening to the discovery of aquatic environments, especially freshwater, and that this knowledge is necessary to better protect and respect these environments. Logically, we refute the compulsive purchase of animals that would not find a sufficient and / or adapted place in the host aquarium.
Our recommendations
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Min volume60 liters
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Population min1
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Temperature22 - 29 °C
Characteristics
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Type of maintenanceAquarium
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Maintenance difficultyhard
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Availabilityrare
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Behaviourslightly aggressive
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Environmentsalt water
General reminders
It is strongly advised to read the complete dedicated file and to get information on the feedbacks of maintenance of the envisaged animal, this to avoid any potential conflict whose end result is generally the death of the individual (or the other inhabitants). It is important not to overload your aquarium to limit pollution. This will make maintenance easier.
General reminder on maintenance datas
Le démarrage d'un aquarium est une partie primordiale pour l'équilibre et le bien-être des poissons. Lorsque l'on met en eau un aquarium, l'eau passe naturellement par un cycle biologique : le cycle de l'azote. Celui-ci dure environ trois semaines. Tous les 2 jours, nous vous conseillons de tester votre eau jusqu'à ce que le taux de nitrite soit à zéro pendant plusieurs jours d'affilée.
Pour accélérer ce cycle, vous pouvez utiliser un activateur de bactéries comme JBL Denitrol. Cette solution riche en bactéries vivantes et enzymes permet une mise en place rapide du cycle de l'azote. Les poissons peuvent alors être introduits plus rapidement.
Il est important de tester l'eau de son aquarium régulièrement pour maintenir un environnement sain pour les poissons et les autres habitants. Les tests d'eau permettent de mesurer les niveaux de différents paramètres tels que le pH, la dureté totale, ainsi que les taux de nitrates, de nitrites et d'ammoniaque.
Pour réaliser ces tests, vous pouvez utiliser des produits d'analyse spécialisés tels que JBL ProScan qui permet de réaliser un diagnostic de l'eau directement via un smartphone. Il existe également des coffrets de tests plus classiques de bandelettes, comme JBL PROAQUATEST.
En cas d’usage de l’eau du robinet, vous pouvez utiliser un conditionneur d’eau de type Biotopol de JBL pour éliminer les substances nocives comme le chlore, le cuivre, le plomb et le zinc. Les conditionneurs d'eau garantissent une meilleure santé aux poissons et une meilleure croissance des plantes.
Chlorine and chloramine are dangerous for the health of animals. Used to disinfect water, these agents are present in significant quantities in tap water. We recommend using an anti-chlorine agent every time you change the water. In addition to chlorine, treatments and medicines sold for aquarium use sometimes contain dangerous heavy metals in high doses.
Specific needs for the squat anemone shrimp
The squat anemone shrimp is a marine species which lives naturally at a temperature between 22 °C and 29 °C. For proper maintenance, the temperature should never exceed the 32°C for long periods. Nitrate levels should remain below 50mg/L. To keep the water clean and unpolluted, plan on changing 20% to 30% of the water volume each month. In seawater, it is also possible to remove nitrates using one of the following methods: Jaubert, denitrator on sulfur, biopeletts, vodka method.
The squat anemone shrimp is a species whose maintenance is rather reserved for informed aquarists . It can only be successfully carried out by carrying out a minimum of documentation work. Special husbandry conditions can easily lead to the death of the species.
This species is very rare in the aquarium trade. Instead, it is maintained by knowledgeable aquarists who own and breed individuals from wild origin strains. If you want to get this species, we advise you to contact specialized clubs. }Specimens from long time breeding are a bit easier to breed but you have to respect the particular water parameters.
Copper is toxic to many invertebrates. Some fertilizers and aquarium foods contain copper sulfate and should be used with caution. Since The squat anemone shrimp are sensitive to copper, we do not recommend using these products in any form.
Cohabitation & Environment
In a community aquarium context, this species should be kept in a minimum volume of 60 liters.
Due to their fragile state during moulting, all crustaceans need an environment provided with hiding places (roots, pebbles, leaves, plants, etc.) to shelter in case of danger.
It should be noticed that this species should not be kept with large crustaceans or fish, as it would become a prey of choice. Smaller species should preferably be inserted in the aquarium some time before the larger ones. Moreover, if you want to breed it, it is better to put them in a specific aquarium.Tips for feeding
The squat anemone shrimp is planctophage.
Reproduction protocol
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Spawning cleaningFemale
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egg-laying protectionFemale
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Fry protectionNo
Hybridization risks
In general, it is advised not to mix several species of the same genus or different varieties of the same species, to avoid the risks of hybridization.
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To go further
To read on the web
Sources & Contributions
Participation & Validation
The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.
Adrien Falzon
Aurélien Calas
Translation
Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.
Bibliographic references
Space partitioning by symbiotic shrimp species cohabitating in the mushroom coral Heliofungia actiniformis at Semporna, eastern Sabah - B. W. Hoeksema - C. H. J. M. Fransen - Springer Nature - 2011.
Sexual System, Sex Ratio, and Group Living in the Shrimp Thor amboinensis (De Man): Relevance to Resource-Monopolization and Sex-Allocation Theories - J. A. BAEZA - C. PIANTONI - SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION - 2010.
Where to see this species?
Tags
Species of the same biotope
Scientific partners
