Yucatan Anemone Shrimp (Periclimenes yucatanicus)

Periclimenes yucatanicus is a delicate Caribbean anemone shrimp distinguished by its nearly transparent body adorned with bold multicoloured saddle markings in white, purple, and brown. Living in close association with sea anemones in the wild, it uses its host both as shelter and as a base from which to clean parasites from larger visiting fish — a fascinating cleaning behaviour rarely seen in captivity. A peaceful, reef-safe species that adds subtle beauty and ecological interest to marine aquariums.

House with a compatible sea anemone host in a minimum 60 L well-established reef tank. Maintain temperature 23–27°C, SG 1.020–1.025. Target feed meaty foods (mysis, chopped shrimp) near the anemone 2–3 times per week. Never use copper-based medications. Keep only with peaceful, non-predatory fish. The cleaning behaviour may attract fish to the anemone for 'station' visits — provide adequate open space around the anemone for this interaction.