Lysmata debelius

Cardinal cleaner shrimp ( Lysmata debelius )

The Cardinal cleaner shrimp ( Lysmata debelius ), also called Kardinalsgarnele or Feuergarnele, is a shrimp of the genus Lysmata. It is up to 5 cm tall and is especially noticeable by its red color. The animals are mainly in the Indo-Pacific, in the Maldives and in the central Pacific Ocean off. Like all species of the genus Lysmata she cleans fish, but not as extensively as the white band cleaner shrimp.

Appearance

The up to 5 cm large animals have a red to dark red color, and six sensors and six legs, which are colored white about two-thirds. Also located on the front part of the body four gripping tools. Pacific Cardinal shrimp have several white spots on the carapace, animals from the Indian Ocean and on the abdomen. The population of the Line Islands has red legs.

Aquarium maintenance

Cardinal cleaner shrimp are very popular occupants for saltwater aquariums, mainly because of their bright colors. However, they lived hidden than their relatives, such as the White Ribbon cleaner shrimp. They should be kept in aquariums with a size of at least 50 liters, and like all shrimp are very slowly adjusted to the density of water. As feed the animals accept brine shrimp, frozen food, flake food and mysis, but also flesh and other seafood.