Bumblebee Shrimp - Gnathophyllum sp.

This is a Restricted item and is not covered by our Arrive Alive 14-day Guarantee.Please see our Guarantee Policy and Restricted Species List for more information.

Bumblebee Shrimp (Gnathophyllum sp.) are tiny shrimp with stout bodies and flattened, square-shaped heads. They are usually found on the underside of rocks or hiding within the spines of sea urchins and occasionally feed on the tubed feet of sea urchins or starfish. They are best kept in nano-tanks where they can be seen and target-fed. Pattern and coloration can vary but most are striped with yellow and black.

Most shrimp are omnivore or are opportunistic scavengers. They will generally accept other foods like flakes, pellets, algaes, and frozen meaty foods as well as whatever they scavenge from their tank (or tankmates). Some may even clean parasites, dead scales and other irritants off of other tankmates or may eat nuisance bristleworms or anemones.

Shrimp molt their hard outer skeleton to grow and it is not unusual to find an empty molt in an aquarium with shrimp. Shrimp also can molt under environmental stress such as water changes, rapid changes in conditions or during shipping. Always acclimate shrimp slowly to avoid sudden changes in their environment.

Crustaceans benefit from iodine and mineral supplements to help form a healthy, hard exoskeleton. Regular water changes with high quality salt mixes usually provide enough, but extra supplements may be needed in reef tanks or in tanks with heavy invertebrates loads that use up iodine and other minerals rapidly. If water changes with new, fresh saltwater are not done regularly, the minerals also get depleted and nitrates accumulate and can also be detrimental to crustaceans and other invertebrates.