Brown Snapping Shrimp (Alpheus armatus)
| Brown Snapping Shrimp Alpheus armatus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Brown Snapping Shrimp |
| Name Lat. | Alpheus armatus |
| Family | Snapping Shrimps |
| Family lat. | Alpheidae |
| Order | Decapoda |
| Order lat. | Decapoda |
| Origin | Atlantic Ocean |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 8.1-8.4 |
| Hardness | 8-12 °KH |
| Lighting | Medium |
| Current | Moderate |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Individual, pair |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Life Span | 2-5 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 4 cm |
| Temperature | 22-28 °C |
| Salinity | 33-36 ‰ |
| Aquarium | 100 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 1.6" |
| Temperature | 72-82 °F |
| Salinity | 1.020-1.025 sg |
| Aquarium | 25 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of Alpheus armatus is the tropical West Atlantic, from Yucatan to Panama and from Trindad and Tobago to Florida and the Bahamas. They live on coral reefs, in seagrass beds and on coral rubble up to 10 m depth, in symbiosis with the anemone Bartholomea annulata (ringed anemone)
Maintenance
They need a well-structured aquarium with a reef structure (crevices, caves, shelters) and stone slabs on sandy areas, with live stones that they can graze on (algae, small crustaceans) and that act like a biological filter. Tubes made of clay or plastic can also serve as living caves. The graveable substrate of fine to medium coral sand should be at least 10 cm deep. Only lime-rich, heavy metal-free substrates may be used as substrate. Filters, skimmers and heaters are necessary to ensure water quality, as well as pumps to simulate tides, swells and bottom currents. Lighting must match the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals
| Salinity: 33-36 ‰ | pH value: 7.9-8.5 |
| Carbonate hardness: 6-10 °KH | Nitrate content: 2-8 mg/l |
| phosphate content: 0.01-0.1 mg/l | nitrite content: 0.0-0.05 mg/l |
Regular addition of trace elements, especially calcium, iodine and magnesium is recommended. For salinity, an average value should be aimed for, which may only vary slightly by +/- 0.5 ‰. Ammonia and ammonium must not be measurable. Special attention shall be paid to consistently good water quality and water values.
Diet
In the wild they feed on small invertebrates, detritus, algal growth and leaf algae. In a community tank, special feeding is only occasionally necessary, as they partake of fish food (small mysis, krill, artemia, bosmids, dry food, etc.). Once or twice a week, phyto- and zooplankton, available as ready-made food in specialized shops, should be offered.
Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
They should be maintained in pairs with ringed anemones (Bartholomea annulata), with which they live in symbiosis. They inhabit natural or self-dug burrows near the base of the anemone. The tentacles of the anemone protect them from predators, but they also defend the host anemone from attackers (butterflyfish) by producing a popping sound with their scissors. Adults behave territorially and defend their anemone against other popping crabs
Socialization with fish and invertebrates by which they are not considered food is very possible. However, smaller shrimp may be eaten.
Reproduction and breeding
External sex differences are not known. There are isolated reports of successful breeding in the aquarium.
Important
They have an enlarged claw with which they can produce a very loud bang by closing extremely quickly (10 m/sec). This bang, which led to the name bang crab or gun crab, serves as a deterrent and also for communication among themselves. If this claw is lost, the opposite feeding claw grows into a new bang claw after 1-3 molts
With not appropriate water values (e.g. iodine content) it can come to moulting problems.
Special care is required when placing them in the aquarium. They are very sensitive to different water conditions. Newly introduced animals must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
If different species are kept together, care must be taken to ensure that fish and invertebrates match each other in terms of water quality and temperature requirements, as well as their social behavior, and that the setup meets the ecological needs of all species kept together
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Werner Winter; Image: Thomas Wasinger
Source: FOSSÁ & NILSEN (1995): Korallenriff-Aquarium Bd. 6, Birgit Schmettkamp Verlag; ENGELMANN & LANGE (2011): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Wirbellose, Verlag Harri Deutsch