Clear Cleaner Shrimp

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific, from East Africa to Australia and Hawaii. Found in coral reefs, reef caves, and under rocky ledges.

Taxonomy: Belongs to the Palaemonidae family. It features a nearly transparent body decorated with small red and white dots, and long white antennae.

Social Behavior: Very peaceful and social. Often forms small groups that establish cleaning stations, waving their antennae to attract host fish.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Mostly translucent with delicate red and white markings on the carapace and legs. Gravid females can easily be identified by their green egg mass.

Tank Setup: Suitable for reef aquariums of 10-15 gallons or larger. Provide plenty of live rock to create caves and shaded areas.

Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous scavenger. Cleans parasites and dead skin off fish. Accepts mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, flake foods, and sinking pellets.

Water Quality: Requires stable marine conditions: temperature 24-27°C, pH 8.0-8.4, SG 1.023-1.026. Keep nitrates low and avoid chemical fluctuations.

Compatibility and Tankmates: Reef-safe. Compatible with peaceful reef fish, corals, and other invertebrates. Do not house with predatory species like groupers or hawkfish.

Aquarium Breeding: Extremely difficult. Zoeae larvae are planktonic and require specialized rearing tanks and microscopic foods to survive.

Risks and Diseases: Highly sensitive to copper-based medications and rapid osmotic shifts. Ensure proper iodine levels to prevent fatal molting issues.