Best Lysmata
The scarlet-striped cleaning shrimp, Lysmata amboinensis, is an Indo-Pacific marine shrimp recognized by a broad white dorsal stripe bordered by red bands and by its long white antennae. On coral reefs it occupies cleaning stations where fishes approach and permit it to remove parasites, damaged tis...
Why this score?
Iconic reef cleaner shrimp, striking pattern, well-known symbiosis, strong aquarium popularity and documentary recognition.
Scoring methodology
The Caribbean peppermint shrimp is a small marine shrimp associated with tropical western Atlantic and Caribbean reef habitats. The name is commonly applied to Lysmata wurdemanni and closely related, visually similar species marked by translucent bodies and red longitudinal striping. Reef aquarists...
Why this score?
Popular reef shrimp valued for Aiptasia control, useful and attractive, occasional misidentification and variable performance noted.
Scoring methodology
The Red-backed Cleaning Shrimp refers to specific species of marine cleaner shrimp within the Lysmata genus or closely related taxa. These small crustaceans are distinguished by a prominent red or orange dorsal stripe running down their backs. They are native to various tropical marine environments...
Why this score?
Cleaner shrimp with appealing stripe pattern, useful reef identity, but vague species status limits consensus strength.
Scoring methodology
