Why is my Fire Shrimp hiding all the time?

Fire Shrimp are naturally cave-dwelling and nocturnal. It is completely normal for them to hide in crevices, especially in a new tank. Once they feel secure, they often become bolder and will venture out during feeding time.

Will my Fire Shrimp clean my fish?

Yes, they do set up cleaning stations and will pick parasites and dead skin off fish. However, they are generally less active cleaners in captivity compared to the closely related Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis).

How often do they moult?

Depending on their age, diet, and water conditions, adult Fire Shrimp typically moult every 3 to 8 weeks. You may find what looks like a dead shrimp in the tank, which is usually just the discarded exoskeleton.

Can I keep two Fire Shrimp together?

Yes, but they should ideally be introduced to the tank at the exact same time, or purchased as an already mated pair. Adding a second Fire Shrimp later often leads to severe territorial aggression.

Are Fire Shrimp safe for reef tanks?

Absolutely. They are completely reef safe and will not harm corals, anemones, or small peaceful fish. They are excellent scavengers that help keep the tank clean.

A bright red Fire Shrimp with stark white spots and long white antennae clinging to live rock. — AI-generated illustration for OneShoal

MarineMarineIntermediate

Blood Red Fire Shrimp

Lysmata debelius

The Blood Red Fire Shrimp is a striking, deep red marine invertebrate known for setting up cleaning stations in the reef aquarium.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 23 – 28 °C
pH range: 8.1 – 8.4
Hardness: 15 – 25 dGH
Salinity: 1.023 – 1.026 SG
Adult size: 4 – 5 cm
Nano reef suitable: 75 litres+
Lifespan: 2 – 3 years
Diet: Omnivore / Scavenger
Water flow: Moderate
Preferred setup: Live rock with abundant caves, crevices, and overhangs

About the Blood Red Fire Shrimp

Lysmata debelius is one of the most popular ornamental crustaceans in the marine hobby. Its vibrant scarlet body, stark white spots, and long white antennae make it an unmissable addition to any setup. Though naturally shy and nocturnal, it becomes more outgoing once settled and may even learn to take food directly from an aquarist's hand or tweezers.

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Is it right for your tank?

Check Blood Red Fire Shrimp against a habitat you already keep. We compare water type, temperature, pH, adult size, group needs and everything living there.

Where Blood Red Fire Shrimp comes from

Native range

Indo-Pacific, Maldives, Sri Lanka, French Polynesia

Countries / regions

Maldives, Sri Lanka, Indonesia

Habitat

Deep reef slopes, caves, and overhangs shielded from direct light.

Widespread across the Indo-Pacific, typically imported from Sri Lanka or Indonesia.

Similar species

Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
Peppermint Shrimp
Lysmata wurdemanni

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Ocellaris Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
Peaceful, widely kept reef fish that will often utilise the shrimp's cleaning services.
Great
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Centropyge bispinosa
A peaceful dwarf angelfish that respects the shrimp and poses no predatory threat.
Great
Coral Banded Shrimp
Stenopus hispidus
Highly territorial towards other shrimp species and may attack or kill the Fire Shrimp if the tank is too small.
Compatible with caution
Longnose Hawkfish
Oxycirrhites typus
Hawkfish are opportunistic predators of crustaceans, though some larger cleaner shrimp are occasionally spared.
Compatible with caution
Picasso Triggerfish
Rhinecanthus aculeatus
Aggressive predator with powerful jaws that will actively hunt and eat ornamental shrimp.
Not recommended
Volitan Lionfish
Pterois volitans
Will easily swallow any crustacean that fits inside its surprisingly large mouth.
Not recommended

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