Blood Red Fire Shrimp

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Easy   • Temperament: Peaceful   • Maximum Size: 2"
• Diet: Omnivore   • Aquarium Level: Substrate & Rocks   • Minimum Tank Size: 12 gallons
 • Reef Compatible: Yes   • Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
• Supplements: None   • Coloration: Red, White
• Origin: Indo-Pacific • Family: Hippolytidae   • Species: Shrimp

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The Blood Red Fire Shrimp is also commonly known as Blood Shrimp, Fire Shrimp, or Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp within the aquarium hobby. The Blood Red Fire Shrimp is by far one of the most popular shrimp in the aquarium hobby because of its bright 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. This species is not only very attractive, but it also serves the roles of aquarium cleaner and remover of parasites.

The Blood Red Fire Shrimp requires an aquarium habitat providing it with caves, crevices or overhangs where the lighting is not too intense. While it will tolerate its mate, others of its own kind will be chased away or harassed.

The Blood Red Fire Shrimp is generally peaceful with most other organisms in the reef system unless they infringe on its territory. As a "cleaner shrimp," it will set up cleaning stations and remove dead tissue and parasites from fish that present themselves for cleaning. The Blood Red Fire Shrimp is also an excellent scavenger and will move along the reef or substrate bottom looking for any meaty foods.

As with most all marine invertebrates this species is very intolerant of copper or high levels of nitrates in the aquarium. It is important to provide proper levels of iodine in the water to promote proper molting, which is imperative as this species grows.

Blood Red Fire Shrimp are scavengers and will eat any leftover meaty foods that settle on the reef or aquarium bottom. Their diet should be supplemented with freeze-dried, live or frozen meaty foods or flake foods.

Depending on the particular aquarium the amount of supplemental food necessary will vary, when feeding the fish it is best to keep an eye on the Blood Red Fire Shrimp to guage how much leftovers it is receiving.