Painted Cleaner Shrimp

Species Profile

• Scientific Name: Lysmata amboinensis
• Common Name: Painted Cleaner Shrimp
  (also known as Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp or simply Cleaner Shrimp)
• Adult Size: 2–2.5 inches (5–6.5 cm)
• Life Expectancy: 2–3 years in captivity
  (Potentially longer with ideal care)
• Habitat:
  • Native to Indo-Pacific reefs, especially in tropical waters
  • Found in rock crevices and reef overhangs, often in cleaning stations

  • Symbiotic behavior: cleans parasites and dead skin off fish

Tank Requirements

• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons (larger preferred if keeping in pairs or with active fish)
• Ideal Temperature: 74–80°F (23–27°C)
• pH Range: 8.1–8.4
• Water Hardness: 8–12 dKH
• Temperament:
  • Peaceful and reef-safe
  • Can be kept singly or in mated pairs
  • May be territorial with other shrimp if space is limited

  • Gets along with most fish, especially those it can clean

Diet & Nutrition

• Omnivorous scavenger
• Eats:
  • Parasites and dead skin from fish
  • Leftover fish food
  • Detritus
• Supplement with:
  • Frozen foods (brine shrimp, mysis)
  • High-quality pellets/flakes
  • Algae wafers

• Feed regularly even if actively cleaning tank mates

Breeding & Spawning

• Hermaphroditic species — any two individuals can form a mating pair
• Spawns frequently in captivity
• Females carry eggs under the abdomen
• Larvae are planktonic and free-swimming, difficult to raise in home aquariums

• Specialized setups needed for successful rearing

Appearance

• Striking red and white coloration
• Bright white dorsal stripe running from head to tail
• Long white antennae used for sensing environment and signaling fish
• Semi-transparent legs with red banding

• Slender body with a distinctive “painted” look

Distinctive Features

• Famous for cleaning behavior — fish line up to be serviced
• Will climb onto hands during tank maintenance
• Excellent reef companion, adds beauty and utility
• One of the most active and visible shrimp species during the day

• Recognizable by its vivid white stripe and long antennae