With an interesting name that matches its lively behavior, the sexy shrimp (Thor Amboinensis) is worth checking out to bring life to any reef tank through their constant activity and social interactions.
By reading this guide, you’ll learn how I create an ideal environment that keeps both your sexy shrimp and corals living well together.
Quick Facts
- Common Names: Sexy Shrimp, Anemone Shrimp
- Care Difficulty: Easy
- Role in Reef Tank: Cleaner
- Diet: Omnivore
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Reef Compatibility: Reef-safe
- Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
- Size: 1-2 inches
- Lifespan: 2-3 years
- Reproduction: Moderate
- Native Region: Indo-Pacific

What Sexy Shrimp Look Like
Sexy shrimp are small but pack a visual punch. They have a bright orange body with large white blotches edged in electric blue, which is hard to miss in almost any tank. Their white eyes also stand out in contrast to the rest of their body.

Their bodies have this upturned abdomen, sort of like a scorpion’s tail, giving them an unusual appearance as they move around.
They grow to about 0.8 inches, so they won’t overshadow other tank mates. Female sexy shrimp are typically larger than the males and display a broken stripe along their backs. It’s a little detail that helps you distinguish between the two if you’re interested in breeding or just curious.

Looking at similar species, you might confuse them with other anemone shrimps like:
- Anemone Shrimp (Periclimenes): Larger size, different coloration, and lack that characteristic tail posture of sexy shrimp.
- Pederson’s Shrimp (Periclimenes Pedersoni):ย Less colorful but shares habitat preferences.
Diet and Feeding
They’re omnivores, so they enjoy a varied diet that includes:
- Sinking pellets
- Flakes
- Frozen foods like mysis shrimp
- Algae-based options such as nori
You’ll often spot them foraging around the tank, picking at anything edible. They’ll also eat small particles found on their host anemones or corals.
Now, here’s the thing: feed your sexy shrimp once or twice daily to keep them happy and healthy.
Otherwise, they might start nibbling on coral polyps if they’re not getting enough food. Something we definitely want to avoid!
Sourcing food for sexy shrimp isn’t too tricky or expensive. High-quality frozen foods like chopped clams or mysis can be found in most pet stores. These foods are great because they’re also suitable for other marine creatures you might have in your tank.
As for their nutritional needs, sexy shrimp benefit from a high-protein diet, which is important for their growth and health. This is especially important if you’re hoping to see any breeding action. The females need those extra nutrients to produce eggs.
Tank Setup for Sexy Shrimp
While sexy shrimp are easy-going, they have specific needs that must be met to stay healthy and thrive in your aquarium setup.
Start with a tank that’s at least 10 gallons. This size is ideal because it provides enough space for 2-3 shrimp, which is important since they thrive in groups. Their social nature means they find comfort in numbers, reducing stress and encouraging natural behaviors.
Go for fine sand or crushed coral as your substrate. This allows the shrimp to forage easily and find hiding spots when they need some downtime.

For rockwork, make sure you have plenty of live rock. These structures mimic their natural reef habitats, giving them places to explore and take shelter.
Lighting should be enough to support any corals or anemones sharing the tank without overwhelming your shrimp. They don’t need intense light themselves but will appreciate the gentle illumination that supports their symbiotic partners.
To make sure you’re providing the best care possible, check out my detailed guide on acclimation and water parameters for marine shrimp!
Behavior and Tank Mates
Sexy shrimp are peaceful and social creatures. They have a unique “dancing” movement, wagging their tails as they explore the tank. This quirky behavior adds a lively element to any aquarium.
They’re also diurnal, meaning they’re active during the day, which makes them fun to watch while you’re around.

These shrimp are beneficial in a reef tank because they help keep things clean by scavenging for food and picking at detritus.
But don’t worry! They’re not aggressive and won’t harm other tank inhabitants. As mentioned, feeding them adequately is important, or they might nibble on coral polyps in desperation.
And like most shrimp, sexy shrimp molt regularly, so don’t be alarmed if you find empty shells.
Sexy shrimp do well with peaceful tank mate species like gobies and clownfish. Here’s a quick list:
Good Tank Mates:
- Gobies
- Clownfish
- Small non-aggressive fish
Species to Avoid:
- Large predatory fish
- Aggressive crustaceans
Breeding and Reproduction
Breeding sexy shrimp in a home reef tank can be quite challenging. While they can mate successfully with observable behaviors such as males searching for females, raising the larvae is difficult due to their vulnerability and small size.
The larvae often fall prey to other tank inhabitants or get lost in filtration systems.
If you’re keen on breeding these small creatures, patience is important. You’ll need a specialized setup to protect larvae from being eaten or swept away by strong currents. Regular monitoring of water parameters is essential to make sure optimal conditions for breeding success.
While breeding may not be practical for every hobbyist due to its complexity, it’s an interesting challenge if you’re willing to invest time and effort into creating the right environment.
Common Health Issues in Sexy Shrimp
Sexy shrimp can sometimes face health challenges.
Symptoms to Watch For:
- Lethargy: If they’re not dancing or moving much, something’s off.
- Refusal to Eat: A sudden loss of appetite can signal trouble.
- Physical Changes: Look for incomplete molts or damaged exoskeletons.
Prevention is always better, but if issues arise:
- Address Water Quality: Always the first step. Make sure stable salinity and low nitrates.
- Check Calcium & Iodine levels: Helps with molting issues.
- Provide More Hiding Spots: Reduces stress by giving them places to go back into.
Can You Keep Sexy Shrimp in a Reef Jar?
While sexy shrimp are small and seem like they’d fit well in a tiny reef jar, it’s not the best idea.
These pint-sized crustaceans thrive in social groups and need space to dance around, which a 2-gallon jar just doesn’t provide.
Plus, maintaining stable water conditions in such small volumes is tricky. Fluctuations from water changes can quickly lead to stress or illness for your shrimp. Or worse, your rock work shifting and accidentally crushing them.
So, while tempting due to their size, sexy shrimp are happier and healthier in larger setups where they have room to explore and interact with their tank mates.