Cleaner Shrimp
About the Cleaner Shrimp
They set up cleaning stations on reefs where fish come to be cleaned of parasites. They will clean the mouths and gills of predatory fish that could easily eat them. They wave their antennae to signal their services are available. Over 40 species of cleaner shrimp exist. They are popular in reef aquariums. They will even clean divers hands. Some species are hermaphroditic. They recognize individual client fish. The cleaning mutualism is one of the most widespread in nature.
Related Species
Mantis Shrimp (Peacock)
They can punch at 80 km/h, accelerating faster than a .22-caliber bullet. The strike is so...
Yeti Crab
Discovered in 2005 near Easter Island. Their hairy claws cultivate bacteria that they then...
Giant Isopod
Deep-sea relatives of woodlice that grow to 50 cm. They can survive 5+ years without food ...
Red King Crab
The most valuable fishery in Alaska - worth over $100 million per year. Their leg span can...