Magnificent anemone shrimp (Ancylomenes magnificus) care guide
- Group
- Shrimp
- Other names
- Periclimenes magnificus, Magnificent cleaner shrimp
- Family
- Palaemonidae
- Origin
- Western Pacific reefs, about 3–29 m deep
- Water
- saltwater
- Maximum size
- 2.5 cm
- Temperature
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Hardness
- dKH 8–12, SG 1.023–1.025
- Care level
- intermediate
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Reef safe
- yes
Care
Ancylomenes magnificus is a small, almost transparent cleaner shrimp, formerly placed in Periclimenes. The carapace and abdomen carry white specks ringed with red, and the tail and the hump on the abdomen are white. It reaches about 2.5 cm and lives in the western Pacific at about 3–29 m, on stony corals, elegance coral (Catalaphyllia) and the sea anemone Dofleinia armata. Because it is small and vulnerable, it relies on a host for protection. In the aquarium give it a host anemone or a large-polyped coral and keep it in a peaceful reef with no shrimp-eating fish. Keep a single animal or a pair. Water figures given here are general hobby guidance rather than taken from our sources. Use stable reef conditions: about 23–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, dKH 8–12, SG 1.023–1.025, low nitrate. Acclimatise slowly. It cleans other animals and in return gets protection and sometimes food from its host. In the tank it picks at fish that visit its host and scavenges small meaty particles. Copper: copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most other invertebrates. Never dose them in a tank holding this animal, and check the label of any treatment or fertiliser before use. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancylomenesmagnificus). Checked October 2026.
Diet
Small meaty foods: frozen mysis and brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and small pellets, ideally target-fed near its host. It also takes parasites and scraps from fish it cleans, and leftover food caught by its host.
Breeding
Separate sexes: after the female moults, the male transfers a sperm packet and she carries many eggs under her abdomen until they hatch into planktonic larvae. Raising the larvae needs marine rearing techniques and is rarely done; nearly all aquarium stock is wild-caught.
Compatibility and tank mates
Reef safe and peaceful. Needs a host (anemone or large-polyped coral) to feel secure. Easily eaten by hawkfish, dottybacks, larger wrasses, triggerfish, puffers and lionfish. Keep away from larger, boisterous shrimp and crabs that may out-compete or kill it.
Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.