Sarasvati Anemone Shrimp

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Widely distributed in the Western and Central Indo-Pacific, including Indonesia, the Philippines, Ryukyu, and the Great Barrier Reef. Inhabits sheltered reef slopes associated with anemones.

Taxonomy: Member of the family Palaemonidae (formerly Periclimenes). Features a slender, nearly invisible glassy body except for the purple and white markings. Reaches 2-2.5 cm.

Social Behavior: Commensal and cleaner. Performs a classic swaying 'dance' to signal fish for cleaning duties. Usually found in small groups on the same host anemone.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Glass-clear transparent body with fine purple and white stripes on the carapace and tail, with purple spots on the legs and claws. Females are slightly larger with broader abdomens.

Tank Setup: Suitable for established reef tanks of 10 gallons or larger. Providing a host anemone (such as Stichodactyla or Entacmaea) or long-polyped LPS corals (like Catalaphyllia) is highly recommended.

Diet and Feeding: Omnivore. Feeds on host mucus and biological debris. Supplement with target-fed fine frozen foods (brine shrimp, cyclops) and micro-pellets near the host.

Water Quality: Keep reef parameters stable: SG 1.023-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4, temperature 22-28°C. Strictly zero copper levels. Very sensitive to rapid salinity shifts.

Compatibility and Tankmates: 100% reef-safe. Peaceful with clownfish and small community reef fish. Do not house with predatory reef fish or aggressive crabs that could harass it.

Aquarium Breeding: Females carry eggs under their abdomen. Planktonic larval stages are highly complex and do not survive standard home aquarium filtration systems.

Risks and Diseases: High stress and mortality if kept without a protective host anemone or coral. Highly sensitive to copper treatments and salinity shock.