White-Patched Anemone Shrimp (Periclimenes brevicarpalis- Ancylomenes brevicarpalis)
The White-Patched Anemone Shrimp (Periclimenes brevicarpalis / Ancylomenes brevicarpalis), known to tropical fish keeping enthusiasts as the Peacock Anemone Shrimp, Glass Anemone Shrimp, or Clown Anemone Shrimp, is a marine decapod crustacean species that is found throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to Australia, the Philippines, and southern Japan.
White-Patched Anemone Shrimp are normally found among the shallow coral reefs, sandy slopes, and clear coastal bays of their range at depths from 3 feet to over 100 feet where they live in a strict, obligate commensal relationship with large sea anemones and some large polyp stony (LPS) corals.
Periclimenes brevicarpalis are not natural diggers. They are constantly on the move and are active during both the day and night, spending their entire lives directly nestled within or walking along the perimeter of their host invertebrate.
Substantial numbers of White-Patched Anemone Shrimp can typically be found clustered closely together on the stinging tentacles or oral discs of Carpet Anemones (Stichodactyla species), Bubble Tip Anemones (Entacmaea quadricolor), or Long Tentacle Anemones (Macrodactyla doreensis). Apparently, the toxic, stinging cells of these host animals provide the White-Patched Anemone Shrimp a safe haven from benthic and pelagic predators that actively hunt the open reef faces.
Although White-Patched Anemone Shrimp are frequently found together in small groups sharing the exact same host anemone, they are not necessarily social animals in a complex schooling hierarchy. They are a docile, non-aggressive species that readily tolerate conspecifics, forming small family pairs or groups of 2 to 5 individuals that safely share the host’s protection without experiencing territorial infighting.
Periclimenes brevicarpalis are very small marine crustaceans. Adult males only grow up to 1 inch, while females grow up to 1.5 inches in body length.
White-Patched Anemone Shrimp (Periclimenes brevicarpalis- Ancylomenes brevicarpalis)
True White-Patched Anemone Shrimp have a highly transparent, glass-like see-through body adorned with a spectacular pattern of large, opaque white patches on the carapace, legs, and tail fan, alongside a distinctive iridescent purple or blue ring on the tail resembling a peacock’s feather. They have relatively short, transparent antennae and a stockier, plumper body profile compared to their elongated Caribbean cousins.
White-patched Anemone Shrimp are gonochoric (separate male and female individuals), displaying clear external sexual dimorphism.
Mature female Periclimenes brevicarpalis grow significantly larger, stockier, and wider-bodied than males, and have significantly more white patches on their carapace to help mask and support the large egg clutches carried beneath their abdomens.
White-Patched Anemone Shrimp (Periclimenes brevicarpalis- Ancylomenes brevicarpalis)
Unlike many marine creatures that can retreat into a heavy shell, the White-Patched Anemone Shrimp does not have a proper individual defensive shell mechanism. Instead, they rely almost entirely on their near-total body transparency and the chemical shield of their host anemone. When a predatory fish approaches with bad intentions, the shrimp uses its pleopods (swimmerets) to rapidly flick backward or sidestep directly between the protective, stinging folds of the host’s tentacles, completely out of harm’s way.
The White-Patched Anemone Shrimp is completely reef safe and is best housed in a well-established reef or nano aquarium of at least 5 gallon capacity with a smooth coralline sand substrate, plenty of live rock arranged into caves, crevices, and overhangs, and a mandatory host anemone or large polyp stony coral (like a Heliofungia or Elegance Coral) for them to inhabit.
The shrimp are far too small to cause any physical damage to any decor in a reef tank and will not bother corals, though they will continuously pace along the lips and tentacles of their chosen host.
White-Patched Anemone Shrimp are non-aggressive, exceptionally docile by nature, and are best housed in a small, dedicated nano tank with peaceful, tiny tank mates like Neon Gobies, Clown Gobies, Sexy Shrimp, and peaceful snails.
Avoid keeping them with large and/or aggressive fish, Coral Banded Shrimp, Hawkfish, Dottybacks, large predatory crabs, and all species of predatory wrasses or carnivorous fish, as their small size makes them an instant, easy snack if they wander even a few inches away from the protection of their host anemone.
Like other nano cleanup crew members, the White-Patched Anemone Shrimp (Periclimenes brevicarpalis) has an opportunistic appetite for debris, which makes them excellent candidates for a nano clean-up crew. In the aquarium, they are great miniature scavengers that thrive on microscopic detritus, debris, sloughed tissue, organic film, and the excess mucus shed by their host anemones or corals.
The White-Patched Anemone Shrimp is relatively easy to keep, provided they are given a suitable host invertebrate and are kept away from predatory tank mates. They are very sensitive to sudden changes in water values, especially rapid drops in salinity and pH, and copper-based medications are completely lethal to them. In addition to stable water quality, they require a constant food source, a stable tropical water temperature between 72–78°F, and adequate iodine levels to support their frequent molting process. An excellent filtration system, protein skimmer, and regular partial water changes are highly recommended to keep this tiny species healthy.
Though mature pairs frequently mate and produce eggs in the home aquarium, White-patched anemone shrimp do not generally reproduce successfully in a standard community environment due to their complex planktonic larval stages. Mating takes place immediately following a female’s molt, and the female carries a small cluster of translucent, fertilized eggs under her abdomen attached to her pleopods for roughly 10 to 14 days.
The larvae hatch and are released into the water column after dark. In a standard reef aquarium, the clouded water may briefly trigger a minor feeding response from corals and other filter feeders, as the microscopic free-swimming larvae are treated as immediate planktonic food and are quickly eaten by fish long before they can metamorphose into crawling juveniles.
In their natural environment, the White-Patched Anemone Shrimp feeds on microscopic detrital elements, organic film, mucus from their host anemones, and tiny pieces of food captured by the host’s tentacles. Their primary wild food consists of grazing the surfaces of their host invertebrates without causing them any harm.
In an established reef aquarium environment, they feed on the natural biofilm in the tank along with any leftover shrimp or fish foods, such as crushed flakes, small pellets, powdered coral foods, mysis shrimp, and frozen brine shrimp. They are opportunistic and will easily adapt to standard aquarium feeding, often waiting for food to float near their chosen host or boldly grabbing drifting particles directly out of the water column.
The White-Patched Anemone Shrimp (Periclimenes brevicarpalis) is a very popular saltwater species that can be purchased from online retailers, specialized local fish stores, and wholesalers at very reasonable prices. Depending on size, area of collection, quantity, and vendor, current prices range from $22.00 to $52.00 per individual.
Although aquacultured specimens are increasingly becoming available due to their popularity in the micro-reef hobby, the majority of Periclimenes brevicarpalis sold to nano reef enthusiasts are wild caught.
White-Patched Anemone Shrimp (Periclimenes brevicarpalis- Ancylomenes brevicarpalis)
Minimum Tank Size: 5 gallons
Aquarium Type: Nano Reef or Dedicated Invertebrate Tank
Care Level: Easy to Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Aquarium Hardiness: Semi-Hardy
Water Conditions: 72–78°F, dKH 8 to 12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 1.5″
Color Form: Transparent with Large White Patches and Purple/Blue Tail Spots
Diet: Omnivore/scavenger
Compatibility: Reef Compatible
Origin: Indo-West Pacific (Red Sea to Australia)
Family: Palaemonidae
Lifespan: 1 – 2 years
Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate
