Spotted cleaner shrimp (Periclimenes yucatanicus) care guide

Group
Shrimp
Other names
Yucatan cleaner shrimp, Spotted anemone shrimp, Caribbean spotted shrimp
Family
Palaemonidae
Origin
Caribbean Sea, southern Florida and the Bahamas, south to Colombia, living with anemones down to about 24 m
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
2.5 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
dKH 8–12, SG 1.023–1.025
Minimum tank
75 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
peaceful
Reef safe
yes
Lifespan
1–3 years

Care

The spotted cleaner shrimp is a small, see-through anemone shrimp of about 2.5 cm from the Caribbean, southern Florida and the Bahamas. Its body carries brown and white saddle-shaped markings, its claws and legs are striped red, purple and white, and its two pairs of long white antennae have black bands. Set-up: it lives among the tentacles of sea anemones and is happiest with a host. Wild hosts include Condylactis gigantea, Lebrunia danae and Bartholomea species, and in the US Virgin Islands also a Rhodactis mushroom coral and Cassiopea upside-down jellyfish. A Caribbean Condylactis anemone is the usual choice in aquariums. Without a host it is shy and more easily eaten. Give it a peaceful tank of 75 litres or more. Water: Water figures here are general reef guidance rather than from a source. Aim for 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, dKH 8–12 and SG 1.023–1.025, stable salinity and low nitrate. Acclimatise slowly by drip. Behaviour and role: a cleaner shrimp. It sways and waves its antennae to attract fish, then removes parasites and loose skin, even entering mouths and gill covers. Aquarium fish may or may not use it. Copper: copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most other invertebrates. Never treat a tank holding them with copper, check the label of any fertiliser or medicine, and keep nets and buckets used for copper-treated tanks separate. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periclimenesyucatanicus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

In the wild it eats parasites, loose skin, dead tissue and some algae. In aquariums offer finely chopped frozen mysis, brine shrimp and small pellets near its anemone; it will also take scraps fed to the host.

Breeding

Breeds in summer in the wild, with egg-carrying females seen in July and August. The larvae pass through several planktonic stages before settling and are not raised in home tanks.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful and reef safe. Keep with peaceful fish that will not eat it; hawkfish, dottybacks, lionfish, triggers, wrasses and large fish will. Its host anemone must be safe in the tank too: anemones can move and sting corals, and need suitable light and flow.

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

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