Deep blood red flecked with white dots and long white antennae waving from a shadowed crevice. A cleaner shrimp that prefers to work from the dark rather than out on the stage.
Temperament
Common health issues
- Molting issues
- Nutritional deficiency
- Parasites
Care at a glance
- ExerciseLow
A calm, unhurried swimmer โ peaceful surroundings suit them best.
- GroomingRoutine tank care
Weekly partial water changes keep them in top shape.
- Living spaceNano-tank friendly
Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.
- Owner experienceGreat first pet
Forgiving and easy to get started with.
- Commitment2โ5 years
Plan for a long, loving relationship.
Health to watch: Molting issues ยท Nutritional deficiency ยท Parasites
๐ Care guide
The Fire Shrimp or Blood Red Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata debelius) comes from the Indo-Pacific and reaches about 5 to 6 cm. Its intense red body is dotted with white spots on the front section, with white legs and antennae. It is a genuine cleaner that sets up a station and picks parasites and dead tissue off fish, but it is shier than the skunk cleaner and spends most of the day tucked into rockwork. A 75 litre or larger established reef tank suits it, at 24-27C, salinity 1.024-1.026, pH 8.1-8.4, with caves and overhangs and absolutely no copper medication. Acclimate it slowly by drip, since shrimp are sensitive to sudden salinity and temperature shifts. Feed mysis, chopped seafood and sinking pellets, and keep iodine within normal reef ranges to support moulting. It is peaceful and reef safe, and unlike the coral banded shrimp it can be kept in pairs or small groups. Do not house it with predators such as large hawkfish, wrasses or triggers, which regard it as food.
Frequently asked questions
How active is a Fire Shrimp?
Low. A calm, unhurried swimmer โ peaceful surroundings suit them best.
How much maintenance does a Fire Shrimp need?
Routine tank care. Weekly partial water changes keep them in top shape.
What tank size does a Fire Shrimp need?
Nano-tank friendly. Happy in a small, stable, well-filtered tank.
Is a Fire Shrimp a good fit for first-time owners?
Great first pet. Forgiving and easy to get started with.
How long do Fire Shrimp live?
2โ5 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.
What health issues affect the Fire Shrimp?
Keep an eye out for Molting issues, Nutritional deficiency, Parasites. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.
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