Blood Red Fire Shrimp (Lysmata debelius)
Lysmata debelius is a close relative of the classic cleaner shrimp, sharing that genus’s protandric hermaphroditism — it starts life as a male and later transitions to female as it matures. It’s noticeably shier than its cleaning-station cousins though, spending more time tucked into rock crevices and less time out advertising for fish to clean, so don’t be surprised if this one’s mostly a flash of red disappearing into a crack rather than a constant presence.
Care level: Easy · Temperament: Peaceful · Max size: ~2" · Min tank: 20 gal · Reef safe: Yes · Diet: Omnivore, scavenger + parasites
At a glance
- Scientific name
- Lysmata debelius
- Common name
- Blood Red Fire Shrimp
- Water type
- Saltwater
- Care level
- Easy
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Max size
- ~2"
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal
- Diet
- Omnivore, scavenger + parasites
- Reef safe
- Yes
When it ships
Most non-quarantined stock goes out the week you order. If we do not already have the animal in-house we source it first — allow up to two weeks for it to reach us. Live animals leave Monday and Tuesday, and Early AM Overnight is the only service that carries a live arrival guarantee.
The live guarantee
Shipped Early AM Overnight: a 1-hour DOA window from confirmed delivery, and nothing beyond it. Next Day Air and 2-Day carry no live arrival guarantee, and neither does USPS Priority. Local pickup or local delivery: 24 hours, if you bring a water sample from your aquarium and we test it before the animal goes home. Maintenance clients: 60 days when we service the aquarium at least twice a month, 28 days on a monthly plan.
Expert guidance
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Cameron draws on 25+ years in the hobby and a marine biology background to help you choose the right fit for your system.