Fire Shrimp - Lysmata debelius
Fire Shrimp (Lysmata debelius)
The Fire Shrimp is one of the most striking ornamental marine shrimps in the hobby, loved for its deep scarlet-red body, bright white antennae and bold white spotting. Native to the Western Indian Ocean / Indo-Pacific, it is a more secretive cleaner shrimp than the common Skunk Cleaner Shrimp and tends to spend much of the day tucked beneath overhangs or within rockwork before becoming more visible once settled. In a mature reef aquarium it can make an excellent addition, but it appreciates calm tankmates, stable water quality and plenty of hiding places.
Common Name:
Fire Shrimp, also commonly sold as Blood Red Fire Shrimp, Blood Shrimp or Cardinal Cleaner Shrimp.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Lysmata debelius
Maximum Size:
Up to 5 cm
Water Type:
Marine.
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Western Indian Ocean / Indo-Pacific, associated with reef habitats where it lives among caves, crevices and overhangs and may establish cleaning stations for fish.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 23–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: 1.020–1.025 SG
Temperament:
Peaceful, though it is shy and should not be housed with large aggressive predators. It may be kept singly, in pairs, or sometimes in groups where space allows.
Diet:
Omnivorous scavenger. It will take most aquarium foods, including small meaty marine foods, and should be fed small amounts regularly. It may also pick parasites and debris from fish, although not all specimens actively perform cleaning behaviour in captivity.
Minimum Tank Size:
100 litres minimum is a sensible recommendation for long-term care in a stable marine setup. TMC lists it as suitable for tanks of 100L or more, while some references suggest smaller minimum volumes.
Behaviour & Activity:
A generally secretive and often nocturnal shrimp that spends much of its time sheltering within rockwork, especially during the day. It is usually more active when the lights dim and after it has acclimated properly.
Reef Safe:
Reef Safe with Caution
Many suppliers list Fire Shrimp as reef safe, but some guidance notes that certain specimens may pick at small polyps, including zoanthids and some SPS corals. In reef tanks, monitor behaviour around delicate sessile invertebrates, particularly if the shrimp is underfed.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature marine aquarium with plenty of live rock, caves and shaded hiding places. Acclimate slowly, avoid copper-based medications, keep nitrate low, and take care during moulting periods as the shrimp is more vulnerable after shedding. Avoid housing with predatory fish or large aggressive wrasses.
Suitable for:
Beginner to Intermediate marine keepers. TMC rates it as beginner-friendly, but stable water quality and careful tankmate selection still matter.
Availability:
Regular in trade.
Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Fire Shrimp - Lysmata debelius
Fire Shrimp - Lysmata debelius
Fire Shrimp (Lysmata debelius)
The Fire Shrimp is one of the most striking ornamental marine shrimps in the hobby, loved for its deep scarlet-red body, bright white antennae and bold white spotting. Native to the Western Indian Ocean / Indo-Pacific, it is a more secretive cleaner shrimp than the common Skunk Cleaner Shrimp and tends to spend much of the day tucked beneath overhangs or within rockwork before becoming more visible once settled. In a mature reef aquarium it can make an excellent addition, but it appreciates calm tankmates, stable water quality and plenty of hiding places.
Common Name:
Fire Shrimp, also commonly sold as Blood Red Fire Shrimp, Blood Shrimp or Cardinal Cleaner Shrimp.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Lysmata debelius
Maximum Size:
Up to 5 cm
Water Type:
Marine.
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Western Indian Ocean / Indo-Pacific, associated with reef habitats where it lives among caves, crevices and overhangs and may establish cleaning stations for fish.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 23–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: 1.020–1.025 SG
Temperament:
Peaceful, though it is shy and should not be housed with large aggressive predators. It may be kept singly, in pairs, or sometimes in groups where space allows.
Diet:
Omnivorous scavenger. It will take most aquarium foods, including small meaty marine foods, and should be fed small amounts regularly. It may also pick parasites and debris from fish, although not all specimens actively perform cleaning behaviour in captivity.
Minimum Tank Size:
100 litres minimum is a sensible recommendation for long-term care in a stable marine setup. TMC lists it as suitable for tanks of 100L or more, while some references suggest smaller minimum volumes.
Behaviour & Activity:
A generally secretive and often nocturnal shrimp that spends much of its time sheltering within rockwork, especially during the day. It is usually more active when the lights dim and after it has acclimated properly.
Reef Safe:
Reef Safe with Caution
Many suppliers list Fire Shrimp as reef safe, but some guidance notes that certain specimens may pick at small polyps, including zoanthids and some SPS corals. In reef tanks, monitor behaviour around delicate sessile invertebrates, particularly if the shrimp is underfed.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature marine aquarium with plenty of live rock, caves and shaded hiding places. Acclimate slowly, avoid copper-based medications, keep nitrate low, and take care during moulting periods as the shrimp is more vulnerable after shedding. Avoid housing with predatory fish or large aggressive wrasses.
Suitable for:
Beginner to Intermediate marine keepers. TMC rates it as beginner-friendly, but stable water quality and careful tankmate selection still matter.
Availability:
Regular in trade.
Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Description
Fire Shrimp (Lysmata debelius)
The Fire Shrimp is one of the most striking ornamental marine shrimps in the hobby, loved for its deep scarlet-red body, bright white antennae and bold white spotting. Native to the Western Indian Ocean / Indo-Pacific, it is a more secretive cleaner shrimp than the common Skunk Cleaner Shrimp and tends to spend much of the day tucked beneath overhangs or within rockwork before becoming more visible once settled. In a mature reef aquarium it can make an excellent addition, but it appreciates calm tankmates, stable water quality and plenty of hiding places.
Common Name:
Fire Shrimp, also commonly sold as Blood Red Fire Shrimp, Blood Shrimp or Cardinal Cleaner Shrimp.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Lysmata debelius
Maximum Size:
Up to 5 cm
Water Type:
Marine.
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Western Indian Ocean / Indo-Pacific, associated with reef habitats where it lives among caves, crevices and overhangs and may establish cleaning stations for fish.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 23–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: 1.020–1.025 SG
Temperament:
Peaceful, though it is shy and should not be housed with large aggressive predators. It may be kept singly, in pairs, or sometimes in groups where space allows.
Diet:
Omnivorous scavenger. It will take most aquarium foods, including small meaty marine foods, and should be fed small amounts regularly. It may also pick parasites and debris from fish, although not all specimens actively perform cleaning behaviour in captivity.
Minimum Tank Size:
100 litres minimum is a sensible recommendation for long-term care in a stable marine setup. TMC lists it as suitable for tanks of 100L or more, while some references suggest smaller minimum volumes.
Behaviour & Activity:
A generally secretive and often nocturnal shrimp that spends much of its time sheltering within rockwork, especially during the day. It is usually more active when the lights dim and after it has acclimated properly.
Reef Safe:
Reef Safe with Caution
Many suppliers list Fire Shrimp as reef safe, but some guidance notes that certain specimens may pick at small polyps, including zoanthids and some SPS corals. In reef tanks, monitor behaviour around delicate sessile invertebrates, particularly if the shrimp is underfed.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature marine aquarium with plenty of live rock, caves and shaded hiding places. Acclimate slowly, avoid copper-based medications, keep nitrate low, and take care during moulting periods as the shrimp is more vulnerable after shedding. Avoid housing with predatory fish or large aggressive wrasses.
Suitable for:
Beginner to Intermediate marine keepers. TMC rates it as beginner-friendly, but stable water quality and careful tankmate selection still matter.
Availability:
Regular in trade.
