Lysmata debelius

Lysmata debelius
File:Fireshrimp.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Crustacea
Class:	Malacostraca
Order:	Decapoda
Infraorder:	Caridea
Family:	Hippolytidae
Genus:	Lysmata
Species:	L. debelius
Binomial name
Lysmata debelius Bruce, 1983

Lysmata debelius (known as the fire shrimp, blood red shrimp or scarlet cleaner shrimp) is an arthropod that grows to a maximum size of 5 cm (2 in) and is indigenous to the Indo-Pacific.

Uses

They are known for their effective cleaning of debris or detritus in the water of aquariums. L. debelius has also been known to eat dead tissue or parasites from fish. L. debelius is hardy and requires little upkeep or attention.

Compatibility

L. debelius can be self-assertive, militant, and can become territorial if more than two are placed inside an aquarium,but behaviors of shrimps in the aquarium will vary. Behaviors of the fire shrimp in the aquarium can become territorial; however, in the general case this is not observed often. Fire shrimps generally prefer groups of 2-3 and will establish cleaning stations. They are compatible with most shrimps found in the wild or the aquarium and are not aggressive to others in most cases. They get along with most fish, as the parasites found on the epidermal layers of the skin and even mouths are one of their sources of food. Compared to the cleaner shrimp they are quite similar in their behaviors and role.

Reproduction

L. debelius is a hermaphrodite and therefore any two individuals may mate. The hatching of eggs, moulting, and copulation cycle is identical to that of L. wurdemanni, yielding weekly batches of zoeae from each pair.

See Also

• For care in a marine aquarium see [Blood Shrimp]