page_title: Lysmata amboinensis
section_title: In the aquarium
hierarchical_section_title: Lysmata amboinensis / In the aquarium
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Eine Indopazifische Weißband-Putzergarnele im Sea Life Centre Oberhausen English: Lysmata amboinensis in the Sea Life Centre of Oberhausen, Germany Polski: Krewetka czyściciel (Sea Life Oberhausen, Niemcy) Nederlands: Pacifische poetsgarnaal (Sea Life Oberhausen, Duitsland)
context_page_description: Lysmata amboinensis is an omnivorous shrimp species known by several common names including the Pacific cleaner shrimp. It is considered a cleaner shrimp as eating parasites and dead tissue from fish makes up a large part of its diet. The species is a natural part of the coral reef ecosystem and is widespread across the tropics typically living at depths of 5–40 metres.
  L. amboinensis can reach a body length of 5–6 centimetres and have long white antennae. Mature shrimp are pale in colour with longitudinal bands on their carapace; one central white band with wider scarlet red bands on either side. The shrimp has a long larval stage and unusual sexual maturation, initially being male but becoming a functional hermaphrodite once mature.
  L. amboinensis is popular in home and public aquaria where it is commonly referred to as the skunk cleaner shrimp; this is due to its striking colours, peaceful nature, and useful symbiotic cleaning relationship which can also be witnessed in captivity.
context_section_description: Many species of Lysmata, including L. amboinesis, are commonly kept in salt water aquaria; they are safe and beneficial since they will clean both the tank and fish but not harm corals. For these reasons they are often kept in both home and public aquaria for educational purposes, sometimes in 'touch pools' which allow visitors to put their hand in the water so the shrimp will clean their hand.
  Despite significant efforts L. amboinesis remains difficult to culture in captivity, though adults will regularly spawn eggs. The cycle from spawning to adult form takes approximately 6 months during which time the vast majority of larvae die. As such most shrimps sold in the aquarium industry are wild-caught, this has led to concern about the negative effects of their removal on natural reefs though there is currently no evidence of an effect.
caption: L. amboinesis exhibiting cleaning behaviour in the Sea Life Centre of Oberhausen, Germany
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