Cleaner Shrimps (Genus Lysmata)
for the Home Aquarium
by J. Charles Delbeek M.Sc.

There are three species of Lysmata which are regularly found in the
aquariums of hobbyists. Lysmata amboinensis (De Man) (Common
Cleaner shrimp), was at first thought to be the only species, being
found in both the Caribbean and Pacific. However, subsequent studies
have shown that two ecologically distinct forms exist (Debelius,
1984). Both species have a bright red dorsal surface along which a
narrow white band runs from the tip of the rostrum to the tail,
however, in L. amboinensis (Pacific) this stripe becomes broken in
the tail region and the tail is red with white blotches. In L.
grabhami (Caribbean), the white stripe continues uninterrupted onto
the tail; the tail may also have white edging (see Debelius, 1984;
see figure 1). But Lysmata species are equally hardy and do
extremely well in the aquarium (in this article Lysmata will refer
to both species). The third species, Lysmata debelius (Bruce)
(Blood or Scarlet shrimp), has only recently been described and is a
much deeper occurring species (20 to 60 metres), hence its higher
price. Lysmata debelius is dark red in color with numerous white
spots on the carapace, while the antennae and lower half of the legs
are white. Lysmata debelius is much more delicate than the other
species in this genus (Achterkamp, 1986a).

The common cleaner shrimp is one of the most popular shrimps kept
today. This popularity is not only related to its bright colors but
also to the fact that it is much more active during the day than
other shrimp species. However, if only one individual is kept it will
not be as active as when a group of 3 or more are kept together. In
the aquarium they will eat a wide variety of foods (e.g. dry food,
mussels and frozen Mysis); life spans of 6 or more years are not
unheard of (Achterkamp, 1986a). Although these shrimps are quite
hardy they are sensitive to changes in water quality and temperature
(28 degrees C max.). Therefore, after buying one be sure to acclimate
it very slowly to your aquarium; this goes for all shrimps
(Achterkamp 1986a)! Too often people assume that invertebrates don't
need as much acclimation as fish do, especially those that possess
shells. Nothing could be further from the truth. The majority of
invertebrates are much more sensitive to changes in water quality
than fish and must be carefully introduced to a new aquarium. Certain
fish are not to be trusted around cleaner shrimps, particularly after
the shrimp has just molted! Lionfish, hawkfishes (especially the
Longnose Hawkfish), large cardinalfish and large wrasses are not
against making a meal of a newly molted shrimp when the opportunity
presents itself (Achterkamp, 1986a).

Cleaner shrimps have earned their name from their habit of "cleaning"
fish of external parasites. Whether the shrimps are actually feeding
on the body slime of the fish, or on the parasites, is not known but
in all likelihood some parasites are removed through their actions.
Butterflyfish, surgeonfish and angelfish are the most regular
customers of a cleaner shrimp, however, the cleaning behavior of the
shrimp often becomes less frequent in the aquarium (Achterkamp,
1986a). This may be due to the fact that the population of parasites
has decreased and that large, open wounds are not common in the
aquarium. Cleaner shrimp are also picky about who and when they will
clean! I once had a Queen angel who started making strange overtures
to my hermit crab so I decided to buy a Lysmata. Well my poor angel
went through every contortion a fish can go through but it took a
full two weeks before the shrimp condescended to "clean" him! In the
aquarium, a pair of cleaner shrimps will often seek out a cave or
overhang, out of which they extend their long, white antennae, thus
"advertising" their presence to any prospective customers.

Cleaner shrimps are hermaphroditic by nature, that is they possess
both male and female sex organs (Achterkamp, 1986a). As in most
shrimps, the larger, older specimen is usually the female but if the
female dies the male will increase in size and become a female. Other
reports have indicated that a pair can switch sex at any time (see
Wilkens, (1980) in Achterkamp, 1986a). Mating occurs immediately
after the female molts. The male mounts the female and deposits his
sperm into the sperm receptacle of the female. The female can store
the sperm for several months during which time she can use it to
fertilize her eggs (Barnes 1974). The eggs of Lysmata are bright
green in color and are carried below the abdomen, between the
swimmerettes (Achterkamp 1986a; Debelius 1984). The eggs hatch at
night and the larvae become part of the plankton. After a series of
molts the larvae settle to the bottom. The problem with raising the
larvae is their extremely small size. In most cases the larvae are
too small to use rotifers as a first food. Perhaps the use of vitamin
fortified unicellular algae such as Chlorella will be the answer.
In any event, breeding these shrimp is not a problem, it is the
raising of the larvae which is the road block at the moment.
Certainly, the person who is the first to successfully raise the
larvae will have a ready market for them! A few members of our club
have already had Lysmata breed in their tanks but only one has even
thought of attempting to raise them.

Much of what is written above applies also to L. debelius, however,
there are some differences. Lysmata debelius is a shy shrimp
compared to the above two species. If kept alone it will rarely show
itself. Even when kept in pairs, this shrimp is not likely to be seen
marching about in the open like the other species of Lysmata
(Achterkamp, 1986b). Being a deep water species, it comes as no
surprise that the maximum temperature these shrimp can tolerate is
approximately 26 degrees C. Also, L. debelius is much more
sensitive to changes in water quality and extra care must be taken
when acclimating them (Achterkamp, 1986b). Although L. debelius is
classified as a cleaning shrimp it is not as avid a cleaner as other
species of Lysmata (Achterkamp, 1986b; Debelius 1984). Very little
is known about the breeding behavior of this animal. It is not even
known whether or not they are hermaphroditic although they most
likely are.

When purchasing a cleaner shrimp there are a few things you should
look for. First of all the shrimp must be active. An individual that
moves very little is most likely sick. Secondly the colors should be
bright and the orangish underbody clear and translucent; lastly a
shrimp which is carrying eggs is much more difficult to acclimate
than one that isn't (Achterkamp, 1986b). Extra care must be taken in
buying L. debelius due to their more delicate nature as they are
more likely to arrive in poor shape. Unfortunately, this can often
show up after you have bought it since it will have difficulty with
its first molting period in your tank (Achterkamp, 1986b). Once it
has become accustomed to your tank, L. debelius will do quite well
and will show itself more frequently, especially in an aquarium with
peaceful inhabitants (Debelius, 1984).

References
Achterkamp, A. 1986a. De gewone poestgarnaal (Lysmata amboinensis).
In. (A.P. Amir and H. Compaan eds.) Gids en Handboek voor de
Zeeaquariumliefhebber en Amateur Zee-Bioloog: Aflevering II.
CIP-Gegevens Koninklijke Bibliotheek, Den Haag. (Dutch).

Achterkamp, A. 1986b. De purpergarnaal (Lysmata debelius). In
(A.P. Amir and H. Compaan eds.) Gids en Hanboek voor de
Zeeaquariumleifhebber en Amateur Zee-Bioloog: Aflevering II.
CIP-Gegevens Koninklijke Bibliotheek, Den Haag. (Dutch).

Barnes, R.D. 1974. Invertebrate Zoology. W.B. Saunders Co.,
Philadelphia, PA.

Debelius, H. 1986. Boxer Shrimps - Genus Stenopus. Freshwater and
Marine Aquarium 9(11):12-16.