Skunk cleaner shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis · Lysmatidae
Also known as Pacific cleaner shrimp, Scarlet cleaner shrimp
Beginner
Sets up a cleaning station and picks parasites off fish; the single most useful reef invert.
- Minimum tank
- 75 L
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 6 cm
- Group size
- 2+
Will it fit your tank?
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Sign in to check my tanksReef & marine husbandry
- Specific gravity
- 1.024–1.026
- Reef safety
- Reef safe
- With corals
- Reef safe.
- With inverts
- Peaceful with other shrimp.
- Minimum in a mixed reef
- 75 L
- Minimum fish-only (FOWLR)
- 75 L
- Aggression
- None.
- Feeding
- Feeds on scraps; offer mysis twice weekly.
Care requirements
- Minimum tank volume
- 75 L
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Hardness
- 8–12 dGH
- Lifespan
- 2–5 years
- Diet
- Omnivore/scavenger — mysis, pellets, fish parasites and leftovers.
- Care level
- Beginner
Origin & habitat
- Native region
- Indo-Pacific
- Water type
- Saltwater
- Biotope
- Reef caves used as cleaning stations
- Natural conditions
- Stable salinity; no copper ever.
Behaviour & stocking
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Minimum group
- 2 fish
- Swims
- Bottom
- Good tank mates
- ClownfishTangsGobies
- Avoid
- HawkfishLionfishPuffersWrasses that hunt shrimp
Breeding & difficulty
- Breeding difficulty
- Advanced
- Sexing
- All individuals function as both sexes.
- Notes
- Simultaneous hermaphrodite; larvae need weeks of live food.
- Common ailments
- Failed moults from unstable salinityCopper poisoning
