Fish Facts

The white-banded cleaner shrimp, Lysmata amboinensis, is an omnivorous shrimp species, which will generally scavenge and eat parasites and dead tissue. The Pacific cleaner shrimp is naturally part of the reef ecosystem, and is widespread in the Red Sea and tropical Indo-Pacific.

It has been observed that fish with parasites may come to "cleaning stations" in the reef. Certain species of fish and several types of cleaner shrimp may assist the fish in large numbers and even go inside the mouth (and then to the gill cavity) without being eaten.

The pacific cleaner shrimp is also known to eat its own kind during mating season. Once reproduction has occurred and the eggs have been fertilized the shrimp acting as the male may consume the female.

Aquaria

Many species of Lysmata, including L. amboinesis, are safe and beneficial in salt water tanks since they will (as indicated by their common name) clean both the tank and occasionally other fish within the tank. In the hobby, they are often referred to as "Skunk Cleaner Shrimp" or "Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp". They are very social, with each other, other inhabitants, even their owner. They have the amusing habit of attempting to clean anything moving in the tank, and won't hesitate to come right up to their owner's hand and pick at it.

Lysmata amboinensis in a marine aquarium.

L. amboinensis will normally moult every 3-8 weeks. Most, if not all, foods are suitable. L. amboinensis are sensitive to changes in environment, particularly salinity. New synthetic water should be made, stored for a week and matched to the system's specific gravity. Be careful with copper-based medication and extreme nitrate levels. L. amboinensis require trace levels of iodine for proper moulting.

Tank conditions

• Subdued lighting
• Rock cover and reefs
• High water quality
  • Specific gravity: 1.020 - 1.025
  • pH: 8.1 - 8.4
  • Temperature: 72 - 78°F / 22 - 26°C
  • Salinity: 32ppt - 34ppt

Pacific cleaner shrimp
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Subphylum: Crustacea Class: Malacostraca Order: Decapoda Infraorder: Caridea Family: Hippolytidae Genus: Lysmata Species: L. amboinensis
Binomial name
Lysmata amboinensis De Man, 1888

References

1. ^ "Cleaner Shrimps, Family Hippolytidae". Wetwebmedia. Retrieved 2006-08-15.
2. ^ "Lysmata amboinensis". Age of Aquariums. Retrieved 2006-08-15.