Fauna
Invertebrate

Pederson Cleaner Shrimp

Ancylomenes pedersoni

Also known as Pederson's Shrimp, Pederson's Cleaner Shrimp

Pederson cleaner shrimp establish bustling parasite-removal stations on shallow coral reefs, almost always anchoring their territory amid the stinging tentacles of host sea anemones. They wave exceptionally long, brilliant white antennae and rock side to side in an alluring dance to signal grooming services to passing reef fish. Once a client hovers motionless with flared gills, the transparent shrimp scrambles across its scales and inside open mouths to pluck away ectoparasites and dead tissue.

MarineCrustaceanSymbiotic
Pederson Cleaner Shrimp reference1 / 7
(c) Pauline Walsh Jacobson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyParasitic Isopods, Parasitic Copepods, Fish Mucus
Predators
  • Red Lionfish
  • Octopuses
  • Reef Fish
ThreatsCoral reef degradation, warming ocean waters, and invasive lionfish
HabitatsCoral reefs, rocky shallows, and sea anemone colonies
Life span1–2 years
Classification
  1. OrderDecapoda
  2. FamilyPalaemonidae
  3. GenusAncylomenes
  4. SpeciesAncylomenes pedersoni
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Approaching: Move slowly toward host anemones to avoid startling client fish or prompting the shrimp to retreat deep into the tentacles.
  • Hand positioning: Holding a motionless hand near its perch often prompts the curious shrimp to climb aboard and pick gently at your skin.
Related species
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