Cleaner Shrimp Lysmata Amboinensis

Description

Cleaner Shrimp Lysmata Amboinensis

The Pacific Cleaner Shrimp, also known as the Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp or Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, is a brightly colored crustacean that plays a vital role in coral reef ecosystems. This species can be found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean and Red Sea, and they live in or around coral reef caves or rock ledges at depths of 16 to 131 feet (4 to 40 meters). The Pacific Cleaner Shrimp has a long, narrow, pale amber-colored body with a stalked eye on each side of its head. It has longitudinal colored bands on its carapace, with a white band down the center separating two red bands on each side. It also has a red tail with white spots and two pairs of long white antennae. These shrimp are omnivorous and feed on parasites and dead tissue from fish. They are known to set up cleaning stations on coral or rocks, waiting for fish to come by to be cleaned. Cleaner shrimp are extremely peaceful and do best when kept in groups. They are considered reef safe and can be kept with a variety of tank mates. For optimal care, Pacific Cleaner Shrimp require a minimum tank size of 10 gallons and thrive in well-oxygenated water with a temperature between 72-82°F (22-28°C), pH of 8.1-8.4, and a specific gravity of 1.020-1.025. They are considered an easy-to-care-for species, making them suitable for both beginner and experienced aquarium hobbyists.