Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis)
| Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp Lysmata amboinensis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp |
| Name Lat. | Lysmata amboinensis |
| Family | Broken-back Shrimps |
| Family lat. | Hippolytidae |
| Order | Decapoda |
| Order lat. | Decapoda |
| Origin | Indo-Pacific |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| pH | 8.1-8.4 |
| Hardness | 6-10 °KH |
| Lighting | Medium |
| Current | Moderate |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Pair, group |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Life Span | 3-5 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 6 cm |
| Temperature | 20-27 °C |
| Salinity | 33-36 ‰ |
| Aquarium | 100 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 2.4" |
| Temperature | 68-81 °F |
| Salinity | 1.020-1.025 sg |
| Aquarium | 25 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of Lysmata amboinensis is the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea over Indonesia to Hawaii. They live on coral reefs, often in larger groups (up to 100 animals) at cave entrances, so-called "cleaning stations".
Maintenance
They need a well structured aquarium with a reef structure (crevices, caves, shelters, overhangs) for their "cleaning stations", with live rocks that they can graze on (small crustaceans) and that act like a biological filter.
Only substrates rich in lime and free of heavy metals should be used as substrate. Filters, skimmers and heaters are necessary to ensure water quality, as well as pumps to simulate tides, swells and bottom currents. The lighting must correspond to the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
| Salinity: 33-36 ‰ | pH value: 8.1-8.4 |
| Carbonate hardness: 6-10 °KH | Nitrate content: 2-8 mg/l |
| calcium content: 400-450 mg/l | Nitrite content: 0.0-0.05 mg/l |
| Magnesium content: 1.250-1.350 mg/l | phosphate content: 0.01-0.1 mg/l |
Regular addition of trace elements, especially iodine, is recommended. For salinity, an average value should be aimed for, which may only vary slightly by +/- 0.5 ‰. Ammonia and ammonium must not be measurable. Special attention shall be paid to consistently good water quality and water values.
Diet
In nature they feed on plankton, growth and small crustaceans as well as skin particles and parasites, which they remove from the host fish. In a community tank, special feeding is not essential, as they partake of fish food (small mysis, krill, artemia, bosmids, dry food, etc.) in addition to their "cleaning" activity. They also eat small red bristle worms. Once or twice a week, phyto- and zooplankton, available as ready-made food in specialized stores, should be offered.
Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
They usually live in pairs or groups and defend their territory. A socialization with fish and invertebrates, which they do not consider as food, is very well possible.
Reproduction and breeding
Younger animals are initially males, then become simultaneous hermaphrodites, producing male and female gametes simultaneously, and thereafter act exclusively as females. External sexual characteristics are not known.
The female carries the eggs on her pleopods (webbed feet) for about 14 days and supplies them with oxygen by fanning movement. The free-swimming larvae feed on plankton such as brachionus (rotifers) and copepods (copepods).
Important
The fish swim at the "cleaning stations" and challenge the shrimp to clean by slanting and spreading their fins. Through this "cleaning activity" they promote the health and well-being of the fish, so they should not be missing in any aquarium.
If the water values are not appropriate (e.g. iodine content), moulting problems may occur.
Special care is required when placing them in the aquarium. They are very sensitive to different water conditions. Newly introduced animals must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium.
If different species are kept together, care must be taken to ensure that fish and invertebrates match each other in terms of water quality and temperature requirements, as well as their social behavior, and that the setup meets the ecological needs of all species kept together
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Werner Winter; Image: Franz Lowak
Source: KNOP (2013): Lexikon der Meeresaquaristik, Natur und Tier Verlag; ENGELMANN & LANGE (2011): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Wirbellose, Verlag Harri Deutsch