Care guide, husbandry, breeding, disease, sourcing, and tankmate intelligence on Skunk Cleaner Shrimp - written by the Fast Aquatics editorial team and cross-verified against vendor records on the live marketplace.
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis) is a marine invertebrate kept by aquarists for reef-tank cleanup, biological control of pests, or aesthetic display. Hardy and forgiving of typical beginner mistakes when given proper water chemistry.
Where Skunk Cleaner Shrimp comes from
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.
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp tank size and setup
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.
For a Skunk Cleaner Shrimp setup: mature reef tank with stable parameters, live rock for cover, sandbed substrate (1-2"), reef-grade lighting if photosynthetic, and a fully-cycled biological filter at least 6 weeks old. Newly-cycled tanks under 6 weeks crash the parameters that Skunk Cleaner Shrimp depends on.
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. Stable parameters beat perfect parameters.
What Skunk Cleaner Shrimp eats
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. Overfeeding is the #1 cause of water-quality crashes in tanks of all sizes.
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp tankmates and compatibility
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 adult size and lifespan
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.
Can you breed Skunk Cleaner Shrimp?
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp breeding in captivity ranges from straightforward (some shrimp, snails) to nearly impossible (most starfish, urchins) due to pelagic larval requirements. Captive-bred specimens are increasingly available from sustainable aquaculture facilities; check with vendors before assuming wild-caught origin.
Common Skunk Cleaner Shrimp diseases and problems
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.
Where to buy Skunk Cleaner Shrimp online
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp is sold at LFS (local fish stores), online retailers, and direct from breeders/wholesalers. Pricing varies widely by source, size, and quality:
Browse live Skunk Cleaner Shrimp from vetted Fast Aquatics vendors with carrier-tracked overnight shipping (FedEx Priority + UPS Next Day), climate-aware hold logic, and a 4-hour DOA window with photo-evidence claims. Captive-bred or aquacultured specimens cost more upfront but arrive healthier and integrate faster.
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp FAQ
How big does Skunk Cleaner Shrimp get?
2 inches at adulthood within 12-24 months.
How long does Skunk Cleaner Shrimp live?
2-3 years with proper care.
What is the minimum tank/pond size?
20 gallons, with larger systems strongly recommended.
Is Skunk Cleaner Shrimp hard to keep?
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp is rated beginner difficulty.
What does Skunk Cleaner Shrimp eat?
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp is a omnivore; appropriate diet matches its natural feeding pattern.
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp taxonomy and care recommendations cross-checked against the following authoritative references and our internal vendor + breeder database.