How Long Do Cleaner Shrimp Live? Ultimate Guide to Cleaner Shrimp Lifespan

Why Are They Called So?

Cleaner shrimp are very aptly named after their mutualistic relationship with fish. These invertebrates set up service stations on the reef where they wait for both predatory and nonpredatory fish to swim by to be cleaned. As the fish floats near the rock, the shrimp picks at the sides and gills of the fish–sometimes even venturing inside the mouth–to clean parasites, dead tissue, mucus, and other microorganisms.

In both the wild and in the reef aquarium, these shrimp have a unique habit of rocking their legs side to side. Studies have found that this behavior increases when predatory fish are present, possibly signaling their beneficial intentions and asking them to not be eaten.

This study also shows that shrimp are much less likely to clean when in the presence of predatory species and unideal cleaning conditions than when servicing nonpredatory fish in a comfortable environment.

When talking about cleaner shrimp, in general, hobbyists are referring to Lysmata amboinensis. However, fire shrimp (Lysmata debelius), also known as blood shrimp and scarlet cleaner shrimp (pictured above), are also considered as a type of cleaner shrimp.

In comparison, fire shrimp are often a lot less reliable at cleaning than true cleaner shrimp. These bright red invertebrates are great at bringing color to the home aquarium, but they fail to set up true cleaning stations and often stay hidden in the rockwork instead. On top of that, many hobbyists have experienced their fire shrimp going after and killing less active invertebrates, including cleaner shrimp.

There are some benefits to having a fire shrimp, though. For one, their intense color is unparalleled. Though they might stay hidden a better majority of the time, their bright red coloration does not go missed.

In addition, they have been known to eat small pest anemones, like Aiptasia. However, if you’re dealing with an extensive Aiptasia problem, then there are much better shrimp options to choose from, like peppermint shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni), which form hunting groups that specifically prey on those anemones.

Though you may get lucky and have an especially Aiptasia-hungry fire shrimp!

What Do They Look Like?

Cleaner shrimp are a very simple-looking, yet appealing shrimp species. All cleaner shrimp will look the same, with red, white, and yellow coloration. There have been some observed variations between those collected from the Red Sea and Indo-Pacific individuals, but the difference is minimal.

Cleaner shrimp are also known as scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp due to their colors. They have two brilliant red lines along their back with dark yellow legs. Against those red lines, they have a long white stripe reaching from the antennae to the top of the head and all the way to the telson (tail). On the tail itself, there are multiple white spots.

This white line greatly resembles the signature patterns of a skunk, earning the skunk cleaner shrimp its name!

As a decapod, cleaner shrimp have ten legs. Cleaner shrimp also have small pincers that help them pick off foreign objects from fish as well as any microorganisms that might be living in the crevices of the rockwork.

Cleaner shrimp do not need much to thrive, though they may sometimes die for apparently no reason at all. On average, they only live for a few years.

These shrimp are one of the larger shrimp species available in the saltwater aquarium, but one can still comfortably be kept in a 10 gallon aquarium; some hobbyists have kept them in 5 gallons, but those pico tanks should be kept for other smaller and more ornate species, like pistol shrimp (Alpheidae family).

While cleaner shrimp won’t explore all a reef tank has to offer, they can be very active within their own given territory. These shrimp set up stations for fish to get cleaned, often at the top or side of the rockwork. They’ll usually use these rocks as areas to sleep and to hide while molting as well. There, they will scavenge for food in and around the rocks and accommodate any fish that want to be cleaned.

Cleaner shrimp do not require any special water parameters. However, like other invertebrates, they are extremely sensitive to traces of copper in the water as well as high nitrates. Contrary to popular belief though, invertebrates do need some traces of copper present in the water for healthy shell growth. Large amounts, like those found in some aquarium medications, will be deadly.

Otherwise, cleaner shrimp are generally hardy and can withstand some minor deviations from ideal water conditions.

Perhaps even more important than correct water conditions is giving ample time to slowly acclimate your new shrimp to your tank. Though hardy once established, this shrimp species can be very sensitive to large and sudden changes in water parameters.

There are a few methods to guarantee that the transition from store to home aquarium is as safe as can be for your new cleaner shrimp:

• Bring a cooler or insulated bag to carry home the shrimp from the store. This will keep your cleaner shrimp in the dark while preventing drastic water temperature fluctuations and ultimately reducing stress.
• Once at home, turn off the aquarium light and float the bag in the aquarium for about 15-20 minutes. This will give time for temperatures to match between the store water and the display water.
• For almost all invertebrates, it is best to drip acclimate. Empty the store water and shrimp into a bucket and attach a drip acclimator. If you do not have one available, simply tie a loose knot in a piece of airline tubing to slow the flow.
• Allow the water volume to double in the bucket. This usually takes about an hour, though you may continue acclimation for up to two hours for extra precaution.
• When enough time has passed, it’s time to transfer the shrimp into the tank. It is best to use your hand or a plastic container as their legs and antennae can get stuck in netting. Your shrimp will likely head straight to the back of the tank and find coverage under a rock. Over the next few days, your cleaner will start to return to normal and set up a cleaning station somewhere in the tank.

Get For Acculimation

Most of us know that fish and shrimp are sensitive creatures, who dont do well with sudden changes. The Accudrip Acclimator is here to help adjust your aquatic creatures to new tanks and conditions

If your shrimp does happen to lose a leg or antennae during the process, don’t worry. Shrimp have the incredible ability to rejuvenate lost limbs when they molt. Though this is not ideal, they should be okay as long as water conditions are favorable!

Many beginner hobbyists see cleaner shrimp and see other shrimp, like fire shrimp, and think that the two species will get along in the same tank. Though cleaner shrimp are very peaceful, they can actually be a little temperamental towards other related species.

As mentioned before, cleaner shrimp set up very distinct territories. If another shrimp were to accidentally enter this territory, the cleaner shrimp would be very capable of defending itself. For this reason and for controlling bioload, multiple species of marine shrimp are not typically kept together unless it is a larger system.

As a crustacean, cleaner shrimp go through the molting process. This is when the shrimp sheds its exoskeleton in order to grow. This happens about every month or two and can make you believe that your shrimp is dead!

When cleaner shrimp molt, they shed their exoskeleton in one complete piece. This empty shell looks exactly like the shrimp only lifeless, which leads many hobbyists to believe that the molt is actually a carcass. During this time, your shrimp is at its most vulnerable and will usually be hiding in the back of the tank.

Make sure that your shrimp reappears after a few hours. Leave the molt in the tank as the shrimp will eat it and regain some calcium as well as other important nutrients. If you don’t see your shrimp after a few hours and you notice that bristle worms and other scavengers are starting to circle around it, then this might actually be your dead shrimp.

Skunk Cleaner Shrimp Easy To Care For Cleaner For Your Reef Aquarium!