Pederson's Cleaner Shrimp (Ancylomenes pedersoni) - Super Male
Unlike the anemone-and-clownfish pairings that only work in captivity, Pederson's cleaner shrimp genuinely partners with Caribbean anemones in the wild — setting up a cleaning station right on the tentacles and picking parasites off any reef fish that stops by. This species is also a protandric hermaphrodite, starting life as one sex and switching later, and a "super male" designation means you're getting one of the largest, most dominant individuals in that size hierarchy.
Care level: Easy · Temperament: Peaceful · Max size: ~1" · Min tank: 10 gal · Reef safe: Yes · Diet: Omnivore, scavenger + parasites
Expert guidance
Have a question about this piece?
Cameron draws on 25+ years in the hobby and a marine biology background to help you choose the right fit for your system.