Description
Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis)
The Cleaner Shrimp is a popular and beneficial reef aquarium invertebrate known for its bright red body, bold white stripe, and long white antennae. It naturally cleans parasites and dead tissue from fish, often setting up “cleaning stations” where fish visit to be groomed. Peaceful, active, and reef-safe, it adds both beauty and function to marine aquariums.
Native:
Indo-Pacific region including the Red Sea, Indonesia, Philippines, and surrounding coral reef systems.
Lighting:
Low to moderate reef lighting.
Placement:
Rockwork and reef structures where it can hide and establish cleaning stations.
Temperature:
24–28°C (75–82°F)
Salinity:
1.023–1.025 SG
pH:
8.1–8.4
Alkalinity:
8–12 dKH
Diet:
Omnivore scavenger. Feeds on parasites, leftover food, detritus, and accepts frozen foods such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and small pellets.
Adult Size:
Up to 5–6 cm (2–2.5 inches)
Care Level:
Easy
Compatibility:
Very peaceful and reef-safe. Compatible with most reef fish, corals, and invertebrates. Avoid housing with large aggressive fish that may prey on shrimp.
