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  Name ''Lysmata amboinensis''
  Regnum Animal ia
  Phylum Arthropoda
  Subphylum Crustacea
  Classis Malacostraca
  Ordo Decapoda
  Infraordo Caridea
  Familia Hippolytidae
  Genus '' Lysmata ''
  Species '''''L amboinensis'''''
  Binomial ''Lysmata amboinensis''
  Binomial Authority De Man , 1888


''Lysmata amboinensis'' (often referred to simply as '''cleaner shrimp''') is an Omnivorous Shrimp Species , which will generally Scavenge and eat Parasite s and dead tissue. Many species of ''Lysmata'', such as ''Lysmata amboinesis'', are safe and beneficial in salt water tanks since they will (as indicated by their common name) clean both the tank and occasionally other fish within the tank.


NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

The cleaner shrimp is naturally part of the Reef ecosystem, and is commonly collected from the Indian Ocean .


TANK ENVIRONMENT

  • Subdued lighting

  • Rock cover and reefs

  • Keep water quality high

  • --- Specific Gravity : 1.023 - 1.025

  • --- PH : 8.1 - 8.4

  • --- / 22 - 26 °C



CARE AND MAINTENANCE

  • ''L. amboinensis'' will normally Moult every 3-8 weeks.

  • Most, if not all, foods (including the food eaten while cleaning) are good.

  • ''L. amboinensis'' are sensitive to changes in environment, particularly Salinity .

  • New synthetic water should be made, stored for a week and matched to the system's specific gravity.

  • Be careful with Copper -based medication and extreme Nitrate levels.

  • ''L. amboinensis'' require Iodine for proper moulting.



SYMBIOTIC BEHAVIOUR

It has been observed that fish with parasites may come to " Cleaning Station s" in the reef. Certain species of fish and several types of cleaner shrimp may assist the fish in large numbers and even go inside the mouth (and then to the gill cavity) without being eaten.


SPECIES

Most species of cleaner shrimp are brightly colored in red and white.

Awaiting approval from WebWetMedia to include their extensive info in this section.

Section removed since the article as it stands covers a single species.
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REFERENCES

  • http://www.starfish.ch/Fotos/cleanershrimp.html

  • http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/arthropoda/shrimp/cleaner.htm

  • http://www.wetwebmedia.com/hippolytidae.htm

  • http://www.aquahobby.com/marine/e_amboinensis.php

  • http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/aboutjanitors/a/aa052899.htm

  • http://www.malawicichlidhomepage.com/other/lysmata_debelius.htm