Pacific cleaner shrimp

Taxobox


image_width = 240px
name = Pacific cleaner shrimp
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
subphylum = Crustacea
classis = Malacostraca
ordo = Decapoda
infraordo = Caridea
familia = Hippolytidae
genus = "Lysmata"
species = "L. amboinensis"
binomial = "Lysmata amboinensis"
binomial_authority = De Man, 1888

The northern cleaner shrimp, "Lysmata amboinensis", is an omnivorous shrimp species, which will generally scavenge and eat [pIt 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.Fact|date=May 2008

The character Jacques in the Pixar animated film "Finding Nemo" is a Pacific cleaner shrimp.

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 [cite web |url=http://www.aquahobby.com/marine/e_amboinensis.php |title="Lysmata amboinensis" |publisher=Age of Aquariums |accessdate=2006-08-15] . 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.

"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

References