The Pederson cleaner shrimp, Ancylomenes pedersoni, is a small, captivating marine invertebrate found throughout the warm waters of the Caribbean. This creature is known for its translucent body and striking coloration, making it a notable inhabitant of coral reef ecosystems.
Distinctive Features
The Pederson cleaner shrimp measures an inch or less in length. Its body is largely transparent, providing camouflage against the vibrant backdrop of coral reefs. This transparency is adorned with distinctive bluish and violet markings, appearing as spots or bands across its abdomen and legs.
The shrimp possesses elongated white antennae, which are waved to signal its presence. Its slender legs and an elongated rostrum, a pointed projection from its head, contribute to its delicate appearance. These features help it navigate its reef environment.
Natural Habitat and Range
The Pederson cleaner shrimp is found across the Caribbean Sea and extends its range into the western tropical Atlantic, including areas off the coast of Florida, the Bahamas, and Belize. It thrives in shallow coral reef systems, at depths ranging from 3 to 49 feet. These environments provide shelter and food sources for the shrimp.
Beyond coral reefs, the shrimp also inhabits rocky areas and seagrass beds. Its distribution is determined by the presence of specific sea anemone species, with which the shrimp establishes a close association.
The Symbiotic Relationship
The Pederson cleaner shrimp has a mutualistic symbiotic relationship with certain sea anemones, such as Bartholomea annulata (curlycue anemone) and Condylactis gigantea (giant Caribbean anemone). The shrimp lives among the anemone’s stinging tentacles, gaining protection from predators. This protection is possible because the shrimp gradually presses its body against the tentacles, developing a mucus coating that prevents it from being stung. If separated from its host for several days, the shrimp must repeat this process to regain immunity.
In return for shelter, the Pederson shrimp provides cleaning services to its host anemone. It removes parasites, dead tissue, and detritus caught in the anemone’s mucus. This activity helps maintain the anemone’s health. The shrimp also benefits by consuming these removed organisms and leftover food particles from the anemone’s meals.
The shrimp extends its cleaning services to passing fish, attracting their attention by waving its long white antennae and swaying its body. Fish approach these “cleaning stations” and remain still, allowing the shrimp to remove external parasites, even cleaning inside their gill covers and mouths. This interaction benefits both the shrimp, which gains a food source, and the fish, which are freed from irritating parasites.
Role in the Aquarium Hobby
The Pederson cleaner shrimp is a popular addition to saltwater aquariums due to its appealing appearance and interesting behaviors. Its transparent body with vibrant blue and purple markings makes it a visually attractive inhabitant. It has a peaceful temperament, making it compatible with a variety of reef-safe fish and other invertebrates.
Caring for Pederson cleaner shrimp in an aquarium is straightforward. They are omnivorous, consuming ectoparasites, detritus, and prepared foods such as brine shrimp and mysis shrimp. While they can thrive without an anemone in an aquarium setting, providing a suitable host or alternative hiding places like live rock is beneficial for their well-being. Their small size makes them suitable for aquariums as small as 20 gallons.