Skunk Cleaner Shrimp

Skunk Cleaner Shrimp requires a minimum of 20 gallons for healthy adults. The minimum is based on the species' adult size (2 inches), territorial range, and behavior pattern. Most Skunk Cleaner Shrimp sold at small juvenile size will reach full adult size within 12-24 months and the system must be sized to the adult, not the juvenile.

The Skunk Cleaner Shrimp needs a tank of at least 20 gallons, a temperature of 76-80°F (24-27°C) and pH 8.1-8.4. Adults reach about 2 inches and live 2-3 years. Best paired with peaceful tankmates of similar size and water-chemistry needs.

Skunk Cleaner Shrimp requires standard reef parameters held tightly stable: Temperature: 76-80°F (24-27°C) Specific gravity: 1.025 (refractometer-measured) pH: 8.1-8.4 Alkalinity: 8-9 dKH Calcium: 420-450 ppm Magnesium: 1300-1400 ppm Ammonia + nitrite: Both 0 ppm Nitrate: Under 10 ppm Copper: 0 (lethal to invertebrates) Skunk Cleaner Shrimp is sensitive to copper - never medicate the display tank with copper if Skunk Cleaner Shrimp is present.

Skunk Cleaner Shrimp is a omnivore. Eats a varied diet of pellets, frozen foods, and supplemental greens. Quality flake or pellet (Hikari, New Life Spectrum, Tetra) plus frozen mysis or bloodworms 2-3x weekly produces best color and behavior. Feed Skunk Cleaner Shrimp appropriately for its size + activity level.

Skunk Cleaner Shrimp is generally peaceful and compatible with most reef community species. Avoid keeping with predatory fish that view inverts as food: large wrasses (especially halichoeres + thalassoma), triggerfish, pufferfish, and certain large angelfish. Multiple Skunk Cleaner Shrimp can share a tank but compete for food. Browse care guides for tankmate-compatibility tables for Skunk Cleaner Shrimp and similar species.

Skunk Cleaner Shrimp reaches 2 inches at adulthood with a captive lifespan of 2-3 years with proper care. Many marine inverts molt periodically; provide adequate calcium and a stable parameter regime to support healthy molts. The minimum is based on the species' adult size (2 inches), territorial range, and behavior pattern.

Skunk Cleaner Shrimp is sensitive to copper, ammonia spikes, low oxygen, and rapid parameter swings. NEVER use copper medications in a tank with Skunk Cleaner Shrimp. Symptoms of stress: reclusive behavior, color loss, refusal to feed, abnormal molting (incomplete or stuck molts). Most Skunk Cleaner Shrimp deaths trace back to acclimation shock or parameter mismatch - drip-acclimate over 45-60 minutes when adding to a new tank.

Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis) is native to Indo-Pacific reef ecosystems, with wild populations distributed across coral reefs, sandy lagoons, and rocky tide pools. Captive specimens are typically wild-collected; some species are starting to be aquacultured but most Skunk Cleaner Shrimp sold today still comes from wild reef collection. Sustainable sourcing matters - look for vendors who can verify their collection practices, and consider aquacultured alternatives when available.