CLEANER SHRIMP

The Cleaner Shrimp is a popular saltwater invertebrate species known for its cleaning property, as it can clean parasites from fish and eels, and even the mouth of a large Grouper¹. They are omnivorous and eat parasites and dead tissue from fish, making up a large part of their diet². Here’s a comprehensive guide to caring for Cleaner Shrimp:

Appearance

• The Cleaner Shrimp has a predominantly white or cream-colored body with distinctive red or blue longitudinal stripes³.

Tank Size

• A 10-gallon tank is sufficient for a small group of Cleaner Shrimp⁴.

Water Parameters

• Keep the water temperature between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Maintain a pH level of 8.1 to 8.4⁵⁴.
• Keep water hardness values between 8 - 12 dKH⁵⁴.

What To Put In Their Tank

• Provide plenty of hiding places for the shrimp to feel secure.
• Use live aquarium plants and shrimp tubes so your Cleaner Shrimp can feel safe and have plenty of surfaces to pick biofilm off¹.

Common Possible Diseases

• Cleaner Shrimp are generally hardy and disease-resistant, but they can be susceptible to bacterial infections and parasites⁵.

Food & Diet

• Cleaner Shrimp are omnivores and will eat almost anything, including algae, biofilm, and leftover fish food².

Behavior & Temperament

• Cleaner Shrimp are peaceful and non-aggressive. They are social creatures and should be kept in groups⁴.

Tank Mates

• Cleaner Shrimp can coexist with other peaceful fish and invertebrates, but avoid keeping them with aggressive or predatory species⁴.