The Blood Red Fire Shrimp, also known as Blood Shrimp, Fire Shrimp, or Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp, is one of the most popular shrimp in the aquarium hobby. It has a blood-red body with white spots and long white antennae. Depending on which region of the Indo-Pacific from which it originates, it may have the white dots just on its carapace, or covering its entire body.
The Blood Red Fire Shrimp prefers a habitat providing it with a cave or overhang where the lighting is not too intense. While it will tolerate its mate, others of its own kind will be chased away or harassed. It is generally peaceful with most other organisms in the reef system unless they impinge on its territory. As a "cleaner shrimp," it will set up cleaning stations and remove dead tissue and parasites from fish that present themselves. It will also scavenge for meaty bits along the substrate bottom. Often, only its antennae will be visible. It will not tolerate copper or high levels of nitrates in the aquarium, but will require correct levels of iodine in the water to promote proper molting.
The diet of the Blood Red Fire Shrimp should include freeze-dried, live or frozen foods, and flaked foods.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 3/4" to 1" Medium: 1" to 1-1/2" Large: 1-1/2" to 2"
Testimonial By:
Testimonial:
Randy Hallford Woodland Hills, CA
The Blood Red Fire Shrimp is a vibrant shrimp that's great for any aquarium! Don't worry about this little guy finding food. In fact, I'd suggest cutting any food into pieces otherwise this shrimp will steal it all. Overall, a peaceful and very interesting shrimp.
I ordered these as part of your shrimp "package". I received a beautiful pair of large shrimp. They are fun to watch and ravenous eaters. They do tend to hide most of the day, but become more active towards night. They help with the leftovers from the day! These shrimp make a wonderful addition to any aquarium.
I didn't really like the idea of getting a shrimp, but I don't regret it at all. It has saved the life of some of my fish that had parasites. It looked so funny when the fish were cleaned by the shrimp, but the parasites disappeared.
Many times blood shrimp prefer low light and as a result in reef aquariums will hide much of the time. Mine is usually only present when I'm maintaining my reef or feeding it. Despite these negatives no other common shrimp in the aquarium trade looks as brilliant as a blood shrimp.
