Cleaner Shrimp
Scientific Name : Lysmata Amboinensis
Origin : Indo-Pacific
Temperament : Peaceful
Temperature : 72F - 82F
Maximum Size : 3 Inches
Diet : Carnivore
Difficulty : Easy
Reef Safe : Yes
Tank Size : 10 Gallons
The Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp is the most common member of the genus Lysmata which includes the Fire Shrimp and the Peppermint Shrimp. Almost everyone in the marine aquarium has had this aquarium shrimp at some point in the hobby.
Heavily harvested for the marine aquarium industry from Indo-Pacific waters, the scarlet cleaner shrimp is a very hardy addition to the reef aquarium. They are called cleaners because of role they play in the wild. They clean parasites off fishes in need of such a service. A pair will commonly set up a cleaning station where fish can visit for a good cleaning.
When a fish signals its intention to recieve cleaning and approaches, the cleaner shrimp will jump onto the fish and crawl its body looking for parasites to consume. While the service they provide does grant them some immunity from larger predators like Moray Eels, some species of fish will not hesitate to consume them. Lionfish, cat sharks and triggerfish come to mind. Their cleaning behavior is readily witnessed in captivity, one of the reaons why they are such a good addition.
They are a fairly cheap species with prices ranging from $15 to $25 depending on the size of the specimen. They are peaceful with other marine aquarium shrimp but should never be mixed with the coral banded shrimp in small aquariums. They are a curious and brave species that will readily eat out of your hand unlike the fire shrimp.
Along with being very good scavengers, they are very easy to feed in captivity. They are primarily carnivores and will consume any meaty foods offered. Anything from frozen foods, freeze dried foods along with flakes and pellets are some good choices to feed them. The most convenient types of food are sinking pellets. Not only are they easy to feed, but they are usually very balanced with regards to nutrition. Some of the best pellet foods are those produced by * New Life Spectrum.
Scarrlet Cleaner Shrimp are Protandric Simultaneous Hermaphrodites, which means they are born with male reproductive organs and obtain female reproductive organs as they age. The difference with other hermaphrodite types is the fact that they still retain male reproductive organs throughout their lives. Mother natures gift to them enables any two cleaner shrimp to pair up and breed.
Lysmata Amboinensis has been bred in captivity not just by large scale breeders but also smaller home breeders. However, their low price point makes it difficult to make a good profit on them.
Pairing them is very easy in captivity. Simply purchase any two scarlet cleaner shrimp and introduce them. They are not aggressive against members of the same species and will normally pair up in a week or two after introduction. For further information on breeding this species along with the peppermint shrimp, * How to Raise & Train Your Peppermint Shrimp
Cleaner shrimp are very hardy additions to the marine aquarium and also provide the service of parasite removal in captivity. However, it should be noted that cleaner shrimp are not good methods of parasite control by themselves. As such, they are not the solution to a parasite outbreak in the saltwater aquarium. Proper quarantining and treatment of the affected fish are needed for an effective solution.
Back to Aquarium Shrimp, Home.
