Ar-1380 RED CLEANING SHRIMP, Lysmata wurdmanni

They provide a rare combination of exotic beauty and a unique display of cleaning symbiosis at its most primitive stage. The body is longitudinally striped with ruby red, and the ventral thorax bears striking “Y” shaped markings. When a spiny boxfish or filefish approaches, the shrimp begins rhythmically rocking to and fro. Ascending the vertical column of water in a peculiar walking motion, it mounts its “host” and begins picking off parasites. Red Cleaners will swarm over your fingers picking at dead skin or cuts, providing a classroom experience never to be forgotten. Size: 1.5-2.5 cm.