Spotted Cleaner Shrimp
Scientific name: Periclimenes yucatanicus
Description: This tiny crustacean growing only about 1 inch has white saddle-like spots on its back, tiny antennae and brightly striped appendages in red, white and purple colors. They inhabit within the protection of different sea anemones. In this case, the cleaner shrimp hides within a giant caribbean sea anemone. The cleaner shrimp’s name comes from its tendency to go to a fish and clean off the dead skin and/or parasites through oral ingestion. They move quickly and efficiently to pick off food from anemones and fish.
Fun Fact: If you extend your hand toward the shrimp, after a little while, it will come out of its protective home and come over to clean your hand!
