Common name: Sea Star Shrimp

Scientific name: Periclimenes soror Nobili, 1904

General information

The Soror Shrimp, scientifically known as Periclimenes soror, is a striking species of shrimp found in the Indo-Pacific region. It is particularly noted for its symbiotic relationship with various anemones, which makes it a fascinating addition to any reef aquarium. The Soror Shrimp is characterized by its translucent body adorned with purple and white bands, and it can grow up to 5 centimeters in length.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
75 liter (20 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.023 to 1.026
Temperature
22 to 28 °C (72 to 82 °F)
Acidity
pH 7.8 to 8.4
Average size
5 cm (2″)
Care level
Moderate to easy Needs stable conditions & clean water
Diet
Omnivore Eats detritus, leftover food, small organisms
Reefsafe
Yes
Aggression
Peaceful
Captive bred
No

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Arthropods
    Arthropoda
  3. Class
    Malacostracans
    Malacostraca
  4. Order
    Decapods
    Decapoda
  5. Family
    Palaemonid Shrimp
    Palaemonidae
  6. Genus
    Glass Anemone Shrimp
    Periclimenes
  7. Species
    Sea Star Shrimp
    Periclimenes soror Nobili, 1904
  8. Synonyms
    Periclimenes bicolor Edmondson, 1935
    Periclimenes frater Borradaile
    Zenopontonia soror (Nobili, 1904)

Care

Soror Shrimp are considered moderate in terms of care difficulty. They thrive in well-established aquariums with stable water conditions and plenty of hiding spaces. These shrimps are omnivorous and will accept a variety of foods, including frozen and flake foods, but they particularly enjoy small meaty foods like brine shrimp or mysis.

Reproduction

In the aquarium, Periclimenes soror may breed with the right conditions. The female carries the eggs until they hatch into free-swimming larvae. Raising the larvae can be challenging, as they require very fine, planktonic foods and stable water conditions.

Symbiosis

Periclimenes soror forms a mutualistic relationship with sea anemones, similar to clownfish. The shrimp gains protection from predators by living among the anemone's tentacles, and in return, it helps keep the anemone clean by removing parasites and detritus. This shrimp is often associated with the anemone species @species:entacmaea-quadricolor, @species:stichodactyla-gigantea, and @species:heteractis-magnifica.

Habitat

This species is native to the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific. It is typically found in coral reefs and associated with anemones at various depths, often below the intertidal zone.