Description
Emperor Shrimp (Periclimenes imperator)
Overview:
The Emperor Shrimp is a small, strikingly colored reef shrimp known for its symbiotic lifestyle, often living on sea cucumbers, nudibranchs, or other large invertebrates. Its vivid coloration and peaceful nature make it a visually appealing and fascinating addition to mature marine aquariums.
Origin:
Native to the Indo-Pacific, commonly found on coral reefs and associated with various invertebrate hosts.
Feeding:
Omnivorous. Feeds on detritus, leftover food, and microorganisms. In captivity, accepts finely chopped seafood, mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and other high-quality prepared foods.
Tank Mates:
Peaceful and reef-safe. Compatible with all reef fish and invertebrates. Its symbiotic behavior makes it non-intrusive and safe with most tank inhabitants.
Aggression:
Completely peaceful; non-territorial and shy.
Experience Level:
Intermediate. Requires a mature, established tank with stable water parameters and plenty of live rock or substrate for natural foraging and host interactions.
Water Parameters:
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Temperature: 72–78°F (22–25.5°C)
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pH: 8.1–8.4
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Salinity: 1.023–1.025
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dKH: 8–12
