Rhynchocinetes uritai

Kubo, 1942

Camel Shrimp, Dancing Shrimp

Range: Indo-Pacific Ocean

Size: 2.0 inches (5 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow rocky inshore areas and are often found in caves or crevices, under overhangs, and holes in coastal reef structures.

General Husbandry: Occasionally available in the home aquarium trade.

Even though this genus contains a number of different species, this one is often the most commonly imported from Sri Lanka, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Has a pale red body with numerous white lines and spots. Hides mostly by day, usually on the underside of elevated rock. Comes out at night to feed, and has a taste for zooanthids and other soft and stony coral.

Basically, unsuitable for the reef aquariums.

Difficult to feed because of its shyness. Sinking shrimp tablets make a good foodstuff.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Malacostraca

Order: Decapoda

Family: Rhynchocinetidae

Genus: Rhynchocinetes

FYI: Similar in appearance to R. durbanensis.

Should be maintained in small groups of five to ten, where the males will set up small harems.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Diet: Carnivore

Temperament: Peaceful

Aquarium Environment: Fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe: No

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: Shrimp are 'very' sensitive to specific gravity/salinity changes. Therefore, be sure to adjust the bag's water to that of the aquarium in which it will be placed by slowly adding small amounts of aquarium water to the bag every few minutes. In most cases, this process should take at least 15 minutes.

Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately hardy

Calcium (Ca): 380 - 430 mg/l

Alkalinity: 2.5 - 3.0 meq/l

Phosphate (PO4): <0.05 mg/l

Magnesium (Mg): approx. 1350 mg/l (relate to specific gravity) Extremely important for molting!

Strontium (Sr) 8 - 10 mg/l

Iodine (I) Trace element additives containing iodine should be used as recommended by their makers, as iodine is also vital for the molting process.

Temperature Range: 68 - 79°F (20 - 26°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Lighting: PAR ratings N/A

Water Movement: WM 1 - 2

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4