Description
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis)
The Skunk Cleaner Shrimp is one of the most popular and beneficial invertebrates in the marine aquarium hobby. Recognizable by its striking red body with a bold white stripe running from head to tail and its long white antennae, this shrimp is both beautiful and functional.
Known for its fascinating cleaning behavior, it sets up “cleaning stations” where fish come to have parasites and dead tissue removed. Peaceful and reef-safe, it coexists well with most fish and invertebrates. The Skunk Cleaner Shrimp is also hardy, easy to care for, and often becomes one of the most interactive and eye-catching inhabitants of any reef aquarium.
Quick Facts:
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Scientific Name: Lysmata amboinensis
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Common Names: Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp
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Max Size: ~2 inches
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Reef Safe: Yes
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Diet: Carnivore (parasites, leftover food, meaty marine fare)
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Behavior: Peaceful, social, can be kept in pairs
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Ideal Tank Conditions: 72–78°F, pH 8.1–8.4, salinity 1.024–1.026
🪸 Perfect addition for reef aquariums that need natural pest control and vibrant color.
