What does the cleaner shrimp actually clean?

It picks parasites, dead skin, and food debris off the bodies of reef fish that visit its cleaning station, benefiting both species.

Why don't predatory fish eat cleaner shrimp?

Its bright, distinctive coloring is thought to signal to fish that it offers a beneficial cleaning service, which appears to discourage predators from eating it.

How big does a cleaner shrimp get?

Adults typically reach about 40-60 mm in body length.

Cleaner Shrimpオトヒメエビ

Stenopus hispidusLC— Least Concern

The cleaner shrimp is a strikingly banded reef shrimp that runs a "cleaning station," picking parasites and dead tissue off client fish — even predatory species — which tend to leave it alone in exchange for the service.

Cleaner Shrimp (reference photo) — Photo: Photo Collection of Dr. James P. McVey, NOAA Sea Grant Program / Public domain / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification: Decapoda / Stenopodidae Source
Size: Adult body length about 40–60 mm
Diet: Carnivore Known for its cleaning behavior, crawling over the bodies of fish to remove and eat food scraps and parasites
Distribution: Widely distributed across tropical coral reefs worldwide; in Japan it is found along the Pacific coast south of the Bōsō Peninsula, inhabiting shallow rocky reefs and coral reefs. Source
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org

Did You Know?

Its Japanese name, Otohime-ebi ("Princess Otohime shrimp"), comes from a resemblance between its vividly colored body, long antennae, and outstretched legs and the mythical sea princess Otohime. Source
Even predatory fish that would normally eat small shrimp tend to leave cleaner shrimp alone; their distinctive coloring is thought to act as a signal that they provide a cleaning service rather than being prey. Source

Where to See This Species

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 1

Kagoshima City AquariumKagoshimaFrom Kagoshima-Chuo Station, take the tram (Route 2) to the Suizokukan-guchi stop and walk 8 minutes.

Source

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

Least Concern (LC)

Sources

en.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

What does the cleaner shrimp actually clean?: It picks parasites, dead skin, and food debris off the bodies of reef fish that visit its cleaning station, benefiting both species. Source
Why don't predatory fish eat cleaner shrimp?: Its bright, distinctive coloring is thought to signal to fish that it offers a beneficial cleaning service, which appears to discourage predators from eating it. Source
How big does a cleaner shrimp get?: Adults typically reach about 40-60 mm in body length. Source
How many operating facilities are registered here?: Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 1 Source

Books & gear

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org