Fire Shrimp
Lysmata debelius
A bold red cleaner shrimp that sets up shop servicing fish in your reef.
About
The fire shrimp (Lysmata debelius) is one of the most recognizable invertebrates in the reef hobby, dressed in deep crimson red with white spots and long white antennae that make it easy to spot even tucked into a cave or overhang. In the wild it's found across the Indo-Pacific, including French Polynesia, where it lives close to the substrate in tropical reef environments at moderate depths. Like other Lysmata shrimp, it earns its keep by operating a cleaning station. Perching in a fixed spot and signaling to passing fish, which will actually pause and allow the shrimp to pick off parasites and dead tissue. It's a genuinely useful addition to a reef tank, not just a decorative one. Temperament is reliably peaceful, and it won't bother corals or other tank inhabitants. That said, it does best when acclimatized carefully, as it's sensitive to sudden changes in water chemistry. Drip acclimation is strongly recommended. Given proper conditions it can live several years, and a bonded pair will eventually reproduce in captivity, though raising the larvae is a serious challenge. A solid choice for a hobbyist ready to move beyond the basics of reef keeping.
Similar species
Other invertebrate you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Fire Shrimp
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- How big does the Fire Shrimp get?
- The Fire Shrimp reaches about 1–2" as an adult.
- What size tank does the Fire Shrimp need?
- A minimum of 25 gallons is recommended for the Fire Shrimp.
- What water parameters does the Fire Shrimp need?
- The Fire Shrimp does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 8–8.4.
- Is the Fire Shrimp aggressive?
- The Fire Shrimp is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- What does the Fire Shrimp eat?
- The Fire Shrimp is a filter feeder. It eats tiny particles suspended in the water and usually needs target feeding in a home tank.
- How long does the Fire Shrimp live?
- With good care, the Fire Shrimp typically lives 3-5 years.
- Is the Fire Shrimp reef safe?
- The Fire Shrimp is generally considered reef safe.