Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp

<p>Also known as Red Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, Indo-Pacific White-Banded Cleaner Shrimp or Indo-Pacific Striped Cleaner Shrimp and can be easily identified by the single white stripe down the back from head to tail, and flanked by two red stripes that terminate at its posterior region. Apart from it, the remaining body is orange in color with two white dots at the top edge, along with six white antennae. It can reach a body length of 2-2.4 inches(5–6 cm).</p> <p>The Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp is like the medic of any saltwater aquarium. It will clean bodies and gills of fishes; In fact, this active cleaner will wait on live rock or coral outcroppings and wait for fish to come and be cleaned of ectoparasites or dead tissue. Many fish value its services so highly that they even allow the Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp to clean inside of their mouths without harming the shrimp. They look for small parasites (i.e., marine ich), dead tissues and other small organisms. It will help fishes to prevent infections and diseases. Nocturnal by nature, these shrimp prefer to hide under ledges and overhangs. Underfed individuals may nip at small polyp stony corals or zoanthid colonies.</p> <p>The Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp is often found in groups amongst live rock or coral. In the home aquarium, the Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp requires similar habitats and peaceful tankmates. Some fish, such as Hawkfish and Lionfish or predatory shrimp or crabs may see this member of the Hippolytidae family as food. So avoid keeping two species together to eliminate undesirable predation.</p> <p> </p>

<p>Feeding them is relatively easy because they will eat nearly any meaty type of fish food that you put in the tank. You need to ensure that they are getting their fair share. They may even take flake foods once they realize they can eat flakes. They also eat marine flesh including clam, scallop, raw table shrimp, mysis shrimp, mussel, silversides and will even eat nori. Also, proper iodine supplementation is necessary to promote molting and growth. </p>

<p>They have a long larval stage, initially being male but after a few molts will become a hermaphrodite allowing them to function as both male and female in interactions with another shrimp; these shrimp have no pure female form. <sup id="cite_ref-EOL_3-4" class="reference"></sup>This form of sexual maturation is scientifically described as 'protandric simultaneous hermaphroditism' and is unique to <em>Lysmata</em> shrimp amongst other decapod crustaceans.<sup id="cite_ref-Larvae_6-1" class="reference"></sup><sup id="cite_ref-Bauer2000_8-0" class="reference"></sup> </p>

<p>Their mating behavior has been observed in captivity where it involves little ritual. A pair of fully mature hermaphroditic shrimp will alternate molting timing; mating occurs shortly following a molt when one shrimp acting as the male will follow the other acting as the female which will brood the fertilized eggs; when the next shrimp molts the roles, and therefore apparent sex, will reverse.</p> <p>It is difficult but not impossible to culture in captivity, though adults will regularly spawn eggs. The cycle from spawning to adult form takes approximately six months during which time the vast majority of larvae die.</p> <p>In one spawning, adult shrimp will lay between 200–500 eggs which are initially attached to the pleopods and are greenish; the eggs swell and lighten in color before hatching, and a few will turn silver on the day of hatching. The eggs hatch around dusk releasing 3–4 millimeters (0.12–0.16 in) long larvae into the free-floating pelagic zone.<sup id="cite_ref-waza.org_2-5" class="reference"></sup></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p>

<p>The species is a natural part of the coral reef ecosystem and is widespread across the tropics including Red sea and Indo Pacific. It typically lives at depths of 16-131 ft (5-40 mt).</p>

<p>The Skunk Cleaner Shrimp should do fine if you want to keep them in pairs but they should not be kept with more aggressive fish species such as Hawkfish, Lionfish, and Triggers who may go after them. In captivity, there are observations showing that socially monogamous showing such aggression that if they are kept in groups of more than two individuals, one pair will kill the rest. While they are not generally seen in large groups in the wild, it is unknown if they are socially monogamous in their natural environment too.</p> <p>They shed their exoskeleton and undergo molting process. This may appear like a dead shrimp in your aquarium. In this period, it becomes very vulnerable and needs iodine supplement periodically which encourages them to shed their exoskeleton. </p> <p>Like other invertebrates, the Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp is intolerant of copper-based medications, high nitrate levels, and fluctuating water parameters. </p> <p> </p>

<p>Drip acclimation is strongly recommended. The Skunk Cleaner shrimp are usually very hardy if they have been acclimated slowly. It's recommended to adjust them to your aquarium water over a period of an hour or more to avoid pH shock. </p>

Venomous