Often found in groups, this Cleaner Shrimp will set up a cleaning station on coral reefs or rubble, waiting for fish to come and be cleaned. It feeds on ectoparasites or dead tissue that it picks from the body and oral cavities/gills of these fish (e.g.; Tangs or Groupers) in the wild or in the aquarium. This also helps to protect the fish from contracting diseases and infections. Many fish value its services so highly that they will allow it to clean the inside of their mouths, and not harm it. Some fish, though, such as Hawkfish, Lionfish, and some predatory shrimp and crabs may eat the Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp. 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.
This came from Foster/Smith.
Behavior: The Lysmata amboinensis is generally peaceful toward other tank mates. Reef-safe. Many consider the Lysmata amboinensis a low-maintenance specimen. Not venomous. Scavenger, eats parasites & dead tissue. Scavenger that likes to sift through sand. Requires iodine for proper molting. All Cleaner Shrimp species prefer subdued lighting, plenty of rocky cover, nooks and crannies, molt every 3-8 weeks normally, consume most all foods in addition to cleaning, and are sensitive to fast changes in water chemistry, particularly salinity.
This is from another website.
Scavenger, eats parasites & dead tissue. Scavenger that likes to sift through sand. Be careful with copper-based medication and extreme nitrate levels. Requires iodine for proper molting.
Also a 3 rd website. All say need iodine for molting. Hmmmm...
