Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp

Description:

The Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp is also known as the Red Skunk Cleaner Shrimp because of the distinct pair of bright red stripes that outline the single white stripe running down its back. White antennae protrude from its head and are about 2x larger than its whole body. They grow no more than 3 inches in the wild or in captivity. It is a carnivore that literally eats off the fish. It eats the dead skin and ectoparasites off a fish that stops for a clean from the shrimp.

Habitat:

The origin of the shrimp is Indonesia, Sri Lanka, but can be found in hawaiian waters around 50 feet or more.

Notes:

The one in the picture is in my 90 gallon tank and is about 2.5 inches. The scarlet cleaner shrimp is a perfect tankmate for every fish because of its peaceful temperament. The only fish that it can't be with are the ones that prey on it. It enjoys to pick off the dead skin and ectoparasites of the other fish that accommodate the tank. I've noticed that the Bicolor Anthias always comes by for a quick cleaning. I didn't ever see the shrimp clean any of the other fish for reasons I do not know.