Stenopus hispidus is a shrimp-like decapod crustacean belonging to the infraorder Stenopodidea. Common names include coral banded shrimp, banded boxer shrimp, and banded cleaner shrimp.
Distribution
Stenopus hispidus has a pan-tropical distribution, including the Gulf of Mexico. In Australia, it is found as far south as Sydney and it also occurs around New Zealand. but the carapace, abdomen and the large third pereiopod are all banded red and white.
Ecology
Stenopus hispidus lives below the intertidal zone, at depth of up to , To achieve this, S. hispidus performs a dancing behavior, staying close to its home in the reef and whips out its antenna as they move side to side. This behavior was first observed in a lab, the dancing behavior observed in cleaner shrimp acts as a signal to inform surrounding fish that they are ready to feed and clean. S. hispidus uses its three pairs of claws to remove parasites, fungi and damaged tissue from the fish. S. hispidus females are typically larger than the males. They occupy a territory that is 1–2 meters in diameter.
Images
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File:Reef0588 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library.jpg|thumb|Top dorsal view (Oahu, 2024)Top view of S. hispidus (Chuuk, Micronesia)
File:Stenopus Hispidus.jpg|Front view of S. hispidus
File:Barberpole (177467769).jpg|Another S. hispidus
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