Mediterranean cleaner shrimp (Lysmata seticaudata) care guide

Group

Shrimp

Other names

Monaco cleaner shrimp, Monaco shrimp, Mediterranean peppermint shrimp

Family

Lysmatidae

Origin

Eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean and Black Sea; 4–60 m among seaweed and rocks

Water

saltwater

Maximum size

6.7 cm

Temperature

16–24°C

pH

8.1–8.4

Hardness

SG 1.023–1.025, dKH 8–12

Minimum tank

60 litres

Care level

intermediate

Temperament

peaceful

Reef safe

with_caution

Care

The Mediterranean or Monaco cleaner shrimp is a Lysmata shrimp from the eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean and Black Sea, growing to about 6.7 cm. It is red with fine pale longitudinal lines and long white antennae, and looks much like the Caribbean peppermint shrimps. It lives on the seabed from about 4 to 60 m among seaweed and rocks. Water: unlike most marine shrimp in the trade, this is a subtropical and temperate species. It suits a cool Mediterranean or temperate marine tank and is best kept below about 24 °C (the temperature range given here is general guidance, not from a source). Long periods in a warm tropical reef can shorten its life. Set-up and numbers: provide plenty of rockwork with caves and overhangs. It can be kept in pairs or small groups. Acclimatise slowly over at least an hour, because shrimp are sensitive to sudden changes in salinity and pH. Behaviour and role: it scavenges leftover food and may pick parasites from fish. Like other peppermint-type shrimps it may eat Aiptasia (glass anemones), though this is less reliable than with Caribbean species. Hungry animals may pick at soft polyps such as zoanthids, which is why it is marked as reef safe with caution. Copper: copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most invertebrates. Never dose copper in a tank holding this animal, and check fertiliser and medicine labels before use. Sources: SeaLifeBase (sealifebase.se/summary/Lysmata-seticaudata.html). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Scavenging omnivore. Takes frozen mysis, brine shrimp, chopped seafood, flake and pellets, and leftover food from fish feeds. Make sure it gets enough food in a busy tank so it does not turn to coral polyps.

Breeding

Precopulatory courtship uses scent and touch, and the female carries her eggs under the abdomen. Lysmata shrimp are generally protandric hermaphrodites (they mature as males and later become functional hermaphrodites), so any two adults can usually form a breeding pair. The larvae are planktonic and need marine water and very fine live foods; raising them is possible but difficult and rarely achieved at home.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful with most non-predatory fish and invertebrates. Hawkfish, large wrasses, triggers and puffers will eat it. Fine with corals when well fed, but may nip zoanthids and other soft polyps. Usually tolerant of others of its kind.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.