California cleaner shrimp (Lysmata californica)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Lysmata californica
- Common name
- California cleaner shrimp
- Category
- Crustaceans
- Family
- Lysmatidae
- Genus
- Lysmata
- Size
- 4–7 cm
- Depth
- 1–60 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, nocturnal
- Ocean zones
- Eastern Pacific
Description
Lysmata californica reaches 7 cm. Small cleaner shrimp (Lysmatidae) East Pacific temperate to subtropical from California to Baja California with elongated red body with characteristic thin white longitudinal bands, long white antennae. Lives from 1 to 60 m on rocky reefs, often in groups in crevices. Offers cleaning services to fish (parasites, dead skin) especially to groupers and horn sharks. Active at night. Classic macro dive photo subject of California kelp forests, beautiful in dark atmospheres.
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the California cleaner shrimp?
- California cleaner shrimp (Lysmata californica) reaches 4–7 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the California cleaner shrimp?
- California cleaner shrimp is found between 1–60 m deep.
- Is the California cleaner shrimp dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the California cleaner shrimp?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the California cleaner shrimp?
- Found in: Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the genus Lysmata
- Lysmata seticaudata - Mediterranean shrimp
- Lysmata amboinensis - Pacific cleaner shrimp
- Lysmata debelius - Fire Shrimp
- Lysmata wurdemanni - Red Cleaner Shrimp
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 515363)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2226414)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia