Spotted Cleaner Shrimp care guide

Spotted Cleaner Shrimp (Periclimenes yucatanicus) — minimum tank 40 L, temperature 24-26 °C, pH 8.1-8.4.

Overview

Spotted Cleaner Shrimp (Periclimenes yucatanicus) is a marine partner shrimp of the family Palaemonidae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as an intermediate-level species. Caribbean anemone-associated shrimp with bold purple and white spots. Cleaner of fish like Hogfish and Wrasses.

Taxonomy

Family: Palaemonidae
Genus: Periclimenes
Scientific name: Periclimenes yucatanicus
Common synonyms: Yucatan Cleaner Shrimp

Habitat

Palaemonid partner shrimp are small, often translucent reef shrimp that live in association with anemones, corals and other invertebrates. Several species clean parasites from fish or shelter among the tentacles of host anemones for protection. In the Aquairi knowledge base this species is recorded from Caribbean.

Tank requirements

Minimum tank volume: 40 L (10.6 US gal)
Adult size: 2-3 cm
Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
pH: 8.1-8.4
GH: 8-12 °dGH
KH: 8-12 °dKH
Salinity (specific gravity): 1.024-1.026
Lifespan: 1-2 years

Diet

The species is an omnivore, taking a wide range of foods including meaty frozen foods, sinking pellets and detritus gathered from the rockwork.

Compatibility

The Aquairi knowledge base lists this species as peaceful. Suitable tank mates include Caribbean anemones, Reef fish. It should be kept away from Hawkfish, Predatory fish. It associates with host anemones or corals for shelter and is generally reef-safe.

Breeding

Breeding requires an extended planktonic larval stage in open water before the young settle, which makes captive reproduction very difficult and rarely accomplished in home aquaria. Most specimens in the hobby are wild-collected.