### Identification Commonly known as the Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp, *Lysmata amboinensis* is a jewel of the reef. Reaching about 5–6 cm in length, its most striking feature is a brilliant, snowy-white longitudinal stripe running down its bright red back. Look closely at the tail: unlike its Atlantic lookalike (*L. grabhami*), the white stripe on *L. amboinensis* breaks before the end, flanked by two white spots on each side of the deep red tail fan (uropods). Its body is supported by translucent legs, but it is the three pairs of exceptionally long, whip-like white antennae that usually catch a diver's eye first, waving frantically from the shadows.
### Habitat & Range This species is a staple of the Indo-Pacific, ranging from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands. You won’t find them in the open; they are "station" dwellers. Look for them in coral reef ecosystems, specifically tucked into shaded crevices, under ledges, or within the protective folds of large sponges. They prefer depths between 5 and 40 meters, where they establish permanent "cleaning stations."
### Behaviour Observation is a treat: when a fish approaches, the shrimp performs a rhythmic "rocking dance," swaying its body and waving its antennae to signal that the station is open for business. They are remarkably bold, often crawling directly into the mouths or gill covers of large predators like Moray eels to perform their duties. Socially, they are usually found in pairs or small groups.
### Diet These are the reef’s primary hygienists. Their diet consists almost entirely of ectoparasites, dead tissue, and excess mucus gleaned from the scales of "client" fish. They use their delicate front chelae (claws) like surgical tweezers to pick off pests that the fish cannot reach themselves.
### Fascinating Fact They are simultaneous hermaphrodites. Unlike many species that change sex over time, every adult *L. amboinensis* possesses fully functional male and female reproductive organs at the same time. While they cannot self-fertilize, any two individuals that meet can successfully mate!