Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis)

Lysmata amboinensis runs the reef tank equivalent of a walk-in clinic — set up shop on a rock, wave those long white antennae, and fish line up to get parasites and dead tissue picked clean off their gills and fins. It's a genuine mutualism, not just a cute behavior; wild reef fish actually queue at cleaning stations run by this exact species.

Care level: Easy · Temperament: Peaceful · Max size: ~2" · Min tank: 20 gal · Reef safe: Yes · Diet: Omnivore, scavenger + parasites