Data sheet white-banded cleaner shrimp
Latin name:
Lysmata amboinensis
Trade name:
White-banded cleaner shrimp, Indo-Pacific cleaner shrimp
order name:
Decapoda (decapods)
Family:
Hippolytidae (cleaner and marbled ganders)
Genus:
Lysmata
Origin:
indopacific
Size (in cm:
3-6 cm
aquarium size
Content in litres:
at least 54 liters
water values
Temperature:
24-26ºC
pH:
7.8 – 8.3
CH:
7-9 °dKH
behavior/stocking
Area:
open pool, caves, rocky outcrops
Lining:
omnivores, fleshy food such as Mysis, Artemia, frozen food; Flake food for omnivorous sea fish, food or soil tablets
Behave:
peaceful, active; within its own kind aggressive with more than three individuals
Number:
an individual or a couple
Life expectancy:
in the aquarium up to about two years
Socialization with shrimp:
Yes
Difficulty level:
Beginner Хомелка, Lysmata amboinensis in Tropicarium-Oceanarium Budapest, CC BY-SA 3.0
introduction
The white-banded cleaner shrimp is a pretty attraction and immediately catches the eye due to its colour. On their back, which glows in bright red, a white, central stripe runs across the body, from the head to the beginning of the tail. The red tail fan shows white markings. The belly, flanks and legs of the animal are colored in contrasting yellow.
The feelers are white. The white-banded cleaner shrimp is one of those Types of shrimp that “clean” fish and free them from parasites and old skin cells. The active animals are often found in seawater tanks, for example on rocky outcrops, and are easy to observe, for example when they specifically attract the attention of fish or when they are cleaning them.
way of life
Natural habitat
The Coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific and Red Seas are the natural habitats of the white-banded cleaner shrimp. Here she lives in caves and crevices in about ten meters, sometimes up to 40 meters deep. Some animals of this species live in pairs, others in large groups of dozens of individuals. The animals are fertilized in their female form.
These attain the hermaphrodite only after several moults. The greenish eggs are carried by the parents for a while under their abdomen, and after hatching the larvae are pushed into the water with violent movements of the gill feet of the adults.
life in the aquarium
number of individuals and behavior
Reports have been handed down that seem to confirm that conspecifics of white-banded cleaner shrimp damage, attack and eliminate each other in the aquarium. This happens when more than three individuals live together. In nature, animals are dependent on their (food) hosts, the fish.
In the aquarium, the competitive pressure seems so high for them that their territorial behavior is very pronounced here. To prevent injury and stress is recommended just keep a couple. As a pair, white-banded cleaner shrimp are peaceful and will not harm other invertebrates in the aquarium.
Acclimatization to the seawater pool
Particular care is required when introducing the cleaner shrimp into the aquarium for the first time. Transport water and pool water must be carefully balanced in terms of water chemistry and temperature. Even the smallest differences in water quality can lead to extreme stress in the animals.
At the proven drop method the aquarium water is mixed drop by drop with the transport bag water using a hose and hose clamps. First, the animal can be placed in a bucket together with the transport water. This should be open at the top to allow airflow. Then patience is required, at least until the amount of transport water has doubled drop by drop.
The dripping water from the bucket is disposed of, not put into the seawater tank. If the shrimp are already a bit used to the pool water, they will probably hide for a while after being introduced. The drop method can minimize stress in the animals and prevent a so-called «osmotic shock».
Nutrition
White-banded cleaner shrimp also feed independently of a feeding. They eat the parasites of the aquarium fish and feed on their dead skin cells and generally on decaying organic matter in the seawater tank. These can be remains of dead plant parts or animals.
pool design
Many shrimp species need sufficient hiding places in their habitat. during one molting caves, crevices and screens are vital for the animals to protect their vulnerable bodies at this time.
White-banded cleaner shrimp molt about every three to eight weeks. Providing sufficient hiding places in the saltwater aquarium is a must. If a shrimp can no longer be identified for a few days, this is usually no cause for concern. She’s probably staying hidden for a while for good reason.
behavior in the aquarium
Lysmata amboinensis likes to show itself a lot in open tanks. It often perches on ledges and waves its antennae to attract fish. It is interesting to observe how she cleans fish, skilfully balances on them and even climbs into them when it is a matter of freeing the fish’s mouth from leftovers in her own interest.
gender differences
As hermaphrodites or hermaphrodites all individuals possess both male and female gametes. All white-banded cleaner shrimp first mature as male individuals. Later they also attain the female function.
breed
The Breeding is considered difficult or the animals as not breedable in the aquarium.
socialization
A socialization with larger fish, which gratefully take advantage of the cleaning work of the small shrimp, as well as invertebrates such as snails or crabs, is possible without hesitation. Within the species, the white-banded cleaner shrimp should be kept in pairs at most.