Hingeback Shrimp
Open Mon–Sat 10am–6pm · Sun 1pm–6pm. Usually ready the same day.
- Kept in our system until you collect
Overview
Hingeback Shrimp (Rhynchocinetes durbanensis), also known as camel or dancing shrimp, is a striking invertebrate with a red and white striped body, large black eyes, and a distinctive humped back that gives it its common name. Its movable, upward-angled rostrum and habit of "dancing" through the rockwork at night make it a fun, active addition to a tank.
It's worth being upfront that this species isn't considered fully reef-safe, and its role is more about character and activity than genuine pest control.
Role in the tank
Hingeback Shrimp are scavengers that will pick through the substrate and rockwork for leftover food, but they're also known to nip at zoanthids, mushroom corals, disc anemones, and soft leather corals. They generally leave stinging anemones and bubble coral alone. They're social animals and do best kept in small groups.
Care
Drip acclimate slowly, as shrimp are particularly sensitive to sudden changes in salinity and water chemistry. Provide plenty of caves and crevices for them to retreat to, especially important during moulting when they're temporarily defenceless.
Compatibility
Peaceful toward fish and most other invertebrates, but a genuine risk to certain soft corals and colonial polyps.
- Best avoided in tanks with zoanthids, mushroom corals, or soft leather corals you want to protect
- Compatible with most reef fish and non-coral invertebrates
Care tips
- Keep in a small group of three to five for the best natural behaviour
- Never expose to copper-based medications, which are lethal to shrimp even in trace amounts
- Feed at night when they're most active, offering a variety of meaty foods
- Ensure stable calcium, alkalinity and iodine levels to support healthy moulting
How collection works
Order & pay online
Check out and pay securely. We set it aside and hold it ready for you.
We get it ready
It stays in our system until you come in — usually ready the same day.
Collect in store
Drop in to 280 North Road, Eastwood, and pick it up.
