Common name/s: Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, Indo-Pacific White-Banded Cleaner Shrimp, Indo-Pacific White-Striped Cleaner Shrimp, and Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp

Scientific name: Lysmata amboinensis

Family: Hippolytidae

Origin: Indonesia, Sri Lanka

Maximum size: Up to 2"

Care: The skunk cleaner shrimp is a very easy to care for addition to the marine aquarium. It is considered a member of 'the cleanup' crew and as such, will eat detritus and left over food in the aquarium. One interesting characteristic is that that cleaner shrimp will setup a 'cleaning station' where they will perch on live rock and clean fish of parasites. They will clean off their gills, their bodies and even inside their mouths. Overall, this animal is very friendly and extremely peaceful.

The skunk cleaner has a yellow body with two red stripes running down it's back and one white spot at the end of each. It is very active in the aquarium and adds color. It is also reef compatible. Best ranges are pH 8.1-8.4. EXTREMELY sensitive to copper, which is toxic. Needs good levels of iodine to molt.

Feeding:The skunk cleaner is considered a carnivore but will eat just about anything in your tank and will survive on flake, shrimp pellets, frozen food including mysis and enriched brine and leftovers in the tank. As above, they will also eat parasites off of fish.

Sexing: Hermaphroditic

Breeding: Difficult, but usually occurs when at least 2 are present and after molting. Average lifespan is 4 years.