Fire Shrimp, Cleaner Shrimp, and Pistol Shrimp: A Keeper's Guide

Ornamental shrimp add color, activity, and function to reef tanks.\n\nCleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis):\n- Set up cleaning stations where fish line up for parasite removal\n- Hardy, peaceful, reef-safe\n- Feed meaty foods 2-3x weekly\n- Can breed in captivity (but larvae are difficult to raise)\n\nFire Shrimp (Lysmata debelius):\n- Stunning deep red with white antennae\n- Shy initially, becomes bold over time\n- Also cleans fish parasites\n- Prefers caves and overhangs\n\nPistol Shrimp (Alpheus spp.):\n- Forms symbiotic pairs with watchman gobies\n- Digs extensive burrow systems\n- Produces loud snapping sound\n- Fascinating behavior to observe\n\nGeneral shrimp care:\n- Iodine supplementation helps molting\n- Drip acclimate for 1+ hour (very sensitive to salinity changes)\n- Provide hiding spots\n- Copper-based medications are lethal to all shrimp\n- Keep in groups or pairs when possible