Description

Fire Shrimp (Lysmata debelius), also known as Blood Red Fire Shrimp, is a popular and strikingly beautiful species in the marine aquarium hobby.

🔥 Fire Shrimp Description:

• Scientific Name: Lysmata debelius

• Common Names: Fire Shrimp, Blood Red Fire Shrimp, Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp

• Origin: Indo-Pacific region (including Sri Lanka and Indonesia)

• Appearance:

  • Bright, blood-red body with white spots on the carapace

  • Long white antennae

  • Legs and claws often have a reddish-pink hue

• Size: Up to 2 inches (5 cm) long

• Behavior:

  • Peaceful and shy, especially when first introduced

  • Often found hiding in caves or overhangs

  • Acts as a cleaner shrimp, picking parasites off fish

🐠 Fire Shrimp Care Guide:

🧪 Tank Parameters:

🪸 Habitat Setup:

• Provide live rock, caves, and overhangs for hiding

• Keep the tank stable and mature (not for new setups)

• Use a lid or cover—they can jump

🦐 Diet:

• Omnivorous scavenger

• Feeds on:

  • Fish flakes, pellets, and frozen foods

  • Meaty bits like brine shrimp, mysis shrimp

  • Leftover fish food

• Supplement with target feeding if necessary

🧼 Cleaning Behavior:

• May clean parasites and dead skin from fish

• Not all fish will cooperate, but some will “pose” for cleaning

• Fire shrimp do not clean as actively as skunk cleaner shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis)

🫂 Compatibility:

• Reef-safe

• Peaceful with most fish and inverts

• Avoid aggressive fish (like triggers or large wrasses) that might eat them

• Can be territorial with other fire shrimp—keep singly or as a mated pair unless in a larger tank

🧬 Molting:

• Like all shrimp, they molt regularly

• Provide iodine in trace amounts (naturally or via supplements) to support molting

• After molting, they hide for protection—do not disturb

🧠 Tips for Success:

• Quarantine before adding to display tank (optional but recommended)

• Monitor for aggression or shrimp disappearing—predators or poor water quality are common issues

• Acclimate slowly to avoid shock (drip acclimation recommended)