The Story
Sexy Shrimp (Thor amboinensis)
The Sexy Shrimp, Thor amboinensis, is a tiny, charismatic marine shrimp famous for its raised tail and constant “dancing” movement as it sways its abdomen while walking. Also known as the Squat Anemone Shrimp, Dancing Shrimp or Anemone Shrimp, this small reef invertebrate has a warm brown to orange body with bold white spots outlined in blue. It is peaceful, reef safe with caution and ideal for mature nano reefs or calm community reef aquariums, especially when kept in a small group.
Common Name:
Sexy Shrimp, Squat Anemone Shrimp, Dancing Shrimp, Anemone Shrimp, Sexy Anemone Shrimp.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Thor amboinensis
Maximum Size:
Usually around 1.5–3 cm.
Water Type:
Marine
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Pantropical, with records from the Indo-Pacific, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean and parts of the Atlantic including the Caribbean. Naturally found in shallow reef communities, lagoons and reef flats, where it lives in association with sea anemones, mushroom corals, soft corals and other protective cnidarian hosts.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: SG 1.023–1.025
Temperament:
Very peaceful and social. Best kept in small groups, as they are naturally gregarious and display more confidently together. They should not be housed with predatory or shrimp-eating fish such as hawkfish, triggers, puffers, large wrasses, dottybacks or larger predatory gobies.
Diet:
Omnivorous scavenger and micro-grazer. In the aquarium, Sexy Shrimp will pick at fine algae, biofilm, detritus, mucus and tiny food particles around their host area. Offer very small foods such as finely chopped mysis, enriched brineshrimp, cyclops, copepods, powdered coral foods, crushed marine pellets and fine meaty frozen foods. In very clean aquariums, target feeding is useful to prevent starvation.
Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 40 litres is suitable for a small group in a stable nano reef, with larger aquariums preferred for mixed reef communities. Stability is more important than volume, as these shrimps are small and sensitive to sudden parameter changes.
Behaviour & Activity:
A highly entertaining, social shrimp that often stands with its abdomen curved upwards and rhythmically waves or “dances” its tail. It may live among anemones, mushroom corals, zoanthids, Euphyllia-style corals or rock crevices if no anemone is present. Groups are more visible and natural than single specimens. Provide gentle to moderate flow, plenty of small hiding places and peaceful surroundings.
Reef Safe:
Reef Safe with Caution
Generally safe with corals and most peaceful reef inhabitants, but caution is needed because groups may irritate small or delicate corals by constantly perching on them. Hungry Sexy Shrimp may also pick at coral mucus, soft tissue or tiny polyps, particularly on zoanthids, mushroom corals or fleshy LPS if underfed. They are usually best kept with robust corals, mini carpet anemones, rock flower anemones or other suitable host structures.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Keep in groups where possible, ideally three or more, for a more natural display. Slow acclimation is important, as small marine shrimps are sensitive to salinity, pH and temperature changes. Avoid copper-based treatments and aggressive tank mates. Provide fine foods and make sure food reaches them, especially in tanks with fast-feeding fish. Cover pump intakes and overflow slots in nano aquariums, as very small shrimps can be drawn into equipment.
Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate fishkeepers
Availability:
Common in trade / Captive-bred where relevant
All images are a visual representation of the animal you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
Description
Sexy Shrimp (Thor amboinensis)
The Sexy Shrimp, Thor amboinensis, is a tiny, charismatic marine shrimp famous for its raised tail and constant “dancing” movement as it sways its abdomen while walking. Also known as the Squat Anemone Shrimp, Dancing Shrimp or Anemone Shrimp, this small reef invertebrate has a warm brown to orange body with bold white spots outlined in blue. It is peaceful, reef safe with caution and ideal for mature nano reefs or calm community reef aquariums, especially when kept in a small group.
Common Name:
Sexy Shrimp, Squat Anemone Shrimp, Dancing Shrimp, Anemone Shrimp, Sexy Anemone Shrimp.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Thor amboinensis
Maximum Size:
Usually around 1.5–3 cm.
Water Type:
Marine
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Pantropical, with records from the Indo-Pacific, Red Sea, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean and parts of the Atlantic including the Caribbean. Naturally found in shallow reef communities, lagoons and reef flats, where it lives in association with sea anemones, mushroom corals, soft corals and other protective cnidarian hosts.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: SG 1.023–1.025
Temperament:
Very peaceful and social. Best kept in small groups, as they are naturally gregarious and display more confidently together. They should not be housed with predatory or shrimp-eating fish such as hawkfish, triggers, puffers, large wrasses, dottybacks or larger predatory gobies.
Diet:
Omnivorous scavenger and micro-grazer. In the aquarium, Sexy Shrimp will pick at fine algae, biofilm, detritus, mucus and tiny food particles around their host area. Offer very small foods such as finely chopped mysis, enriched brineshrimp, cyclops, copepods, powdered coral foods, crushed marine pellets and fine meaty frozen foods. In very clean aquariums, target feeding is useful to prevent starvation.
Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 40 litres is suitable for a small group in a stable nano reef, with larger aquariums preferred for mixed reef communities. Stability is more important than volume, as these shrimps are small and sensitive to sudden parameter changes.
Behaviour & Activity:
A highly entertaining, social shrimp that often stands with its abdomen curved upwards and rhythmically waves or “dances” its tail. It may live among anemones, mushroom corals, zoanthids, Euphyllia-style corals or rock crevices if no anemone is present. Groups are more visible and natural than single specimens. Provide gentle to moderate flow, plenty of small hiding places and peaceful surroundings.
Reef Safe:
Reef Safe with Caution
Generally safe with corals and most peaceful reef inhabitants, but caution is needed because groups may irritate small or delicate corals by constantly perching on them. Hungry Sexy Shrimp may also pick at coral mucus, soft tissue or tiny polyps, particularly on zoanthids, mushroom corals or fleshy LPS if underfed. They are usually best kept with robust corals, mini carpet anemones, rock flower anemones or other suitable host structures.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Keep in groups where possible, ideally three or more, for a more natural display. Slow acclimation is important, as small marine shrimps are sensitive to salinity, pH and temperature changes. Avoid copper-based treatments and aggressive tank mates. Provide fine foods and make sure food reaches them, especially in tanks with fast-feeding fish. Cover pump intakes and overflow slots in nano aquariums, as very small shrimps can be drawn into equipment.
Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate fishkeepers
Availability:
Common in trade / Captive-bred where relevant
All images are a visual representation of the animal you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
