Purple Coral Banded Shrimp (Stenopus sp.)

Stenopus coral banded shrimp all run on the same basic body plan — huge pincers, banded legs, a permanent don't-touch-me posture — but the purple color form stands out even in a genus known for looking flashy. Like its red-and-white cousins, it stakes out a patch of rock as a personal cleaning station and defends it fiercely from any other banded shrimp that gets ideas.

Care level: Easy · Temperament: Semi-aggressive with own kind · Max size: ~3" · Min tank: 20 gal · Reef safe: Yes · Diet: Omnivore, scavenger