Cleaner shrimp may be small, but these fascinating creatures have much to offer your saltwater aquarium. Cleaner shrimp are small crustaceans who clean both the environment of your tank and other inhabitants, removing parasites and general debris. They are also brightly colored little guys who look good, if a little alien, in your aquarium.
From the skunk cleaner shrimp to the peppermint shrimp, Aqua Creations explores the different types of cleaning shrimp for aquariums and how to choose the right species for your tank.

The Best Saltwater Shrimp for Your Aquarium

Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata Amboinensis)

Peppermint Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata Wurdemanni)

Fire Shrimp (Lysmata Debelius)

Coral Banded Shrimp (Stenopus Hispidus)
Cleaner Shrimp Tank Mates
What Do Cleaner Shrimp Eat?
Though they do not typically hunt live prey in the traditional sense, cleaner shrimp are considered carnivores as their diet mostly consists of animal matter, such as parasites and dead skin. Their feeding behavior is unique in that it revolves around cleaning symbiosis, where both the shrimp and the fish they clean benefit.
Choose Your Cleaner Shrimp With Aqua Creations
- Size of the aquarium
- Presence of coral
- Types of fish in the tank
Cleaner shrimps will help your fish stay healthy and many will also eat the organic detritus in the tank, which can save time when cleaning. For more information about cleaner shrimp and other ways to keep your fish healthy and happy, contact Aqua Creations, experts in everything aquatic. From design to building and maintenance, Aqua Creations is passionate about every aquarium project we are privileged to lead.
About the Author

Sol Bick
Aqua Creations Founder
Aqua Creations founder and self-proclaimed fish addict, Sol Bick is passionate about anything aquatic. With over 50 years of experience as an aquarium hobbyist and professional, Sol never stops plunging into the depths of aquatic science, researching, contributing to, and staying current with the latest technologies.