Not furry either, still lovely.
Blood Red Fire Shrimp
Lysmata debelius
Also called Fire shrimp, Blood shrimp, Scarlet cleaner shrimp, Cardinal shrimp
From Indo-Pacific; first described from Polillo Island in the Philippines and also recorded from French Polynesia123
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Thin exoskeleton that is moulted as the shrimp grows
A compact shrimp in deep blood red, sprinkled with white dots on the head shield and legs, with long bright white antennae. Its rear walking legs have white tips. Depending on where it was collected, the white dots may cover only the head area or the whole body.13
Personality what they are like
Peaceful with fish and corals. It is fairly shy and likes dim caves, but may squabble with others of its own kind in a small tank.3
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Mostly nocturnal. It spends the day sheltering in caves and comes out more after dark to scavenge and clean fish.3
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Rated easy to keep. It needs stable, copper-free water and adequate iodine for healthy moulting, and should be acclimated slowly.3
Home where they are happiest
A marine reef aquarium with live rock, caves and shaded overhangs. LiveAquaria gives 72-78 °F (about 22-26 °C), pH 8.1-8.4, dKH 8-12 and specific gravity 1.023-1.025. In the wild it is recorded at around 20-30 m depth. No minimum tank size was given by the sources.32
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Carnivorous scavenger. In aquariums it accepts frozen, freeze-dried, live and flake foods, and in the wild it also picks parasites and dead tissue off fish.31
Company who they like around
Can live alone or in a pair. Because every individual can act as both sexes, any two can breed, but several in a small tank may bicker.13
The story where it all began
The fire shrimp was formally described by A. J. Bruce in 1983 and named after Helmut Debelius, who collected the first specimens. It quickly became one of the most popular cleaner shrimps in the reef aquarium hobby.1
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Its species name honours German underwater photographer and author Helmut Debelius, who sent the first specimens for identification.1
- 2
Any two fire shrimp can pair up and breed, because each one can act as a hermaphrodite.1
- 3
A pair can release a fresh batch of larvae roughly every week.1
- 4
A similar-looking shrimp from the Maldives was later split off as its own species, Lysmata splendida.1
Recognised by the official bits
- Taxonomy (via SeaLifeBase)
- Described by A. J. Bruce in 1983. Order Decapoda, genus Lysmata.2
- SeaLifeBase
- Not evaluated by the IUCN.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Blood Red Fire Shrimp. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingDepends on species, many feed from the light and the watervaries
- Salinity checkevery week
- Water testevery week
- Top-upTop up evaporation with fresh RO water, not salt waterevery day
- Water changeAbout 10 to 20% of the waterevery 2 weeks
- Light checkevery month
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Blood Red Fire Shrimp?
Feed your Blood Red Fire Shrimp small amounts daily, as it is a scavenger. Furry Diary's starting plan notes that feeding depends on the species, so adjust based on your tank. For exact amounts, check the food label and ask your vet.31 Furry Diary plan
What does a Blood Red Fire Shrimp eat, and what should it never eat?
Your shrimp is a carnivorous scavenger that enjoys frozen, freeze-dried, live, and flake foods. There is no specific list of foods to avoid, but always use shrimp-safe options. Consult a vet if you are unsure about any food.31
How much space does a Blood Red Fire Shrimp need?
No minimum tank size is given, but it needs a marine reef aquarium with live rock and caves. A single shrimp can thrive in a small tank, but for a pair or group, a larger tank is better. Ask a good breeder or vet for the ideal size.32
What temperature, light or water does a Blood Red Fire Shrimp need?
It needs stable marine water: temperature 72-78°F, pH 8.1-8.4, dKH 8-12, and specific gravity 1.023-1.025. It prefers dim lighting and plenty of caves. Ensure the water is copper-free and well-filtered.32
How often should I clean a Blood Red Fire Shrimp's home?
Furry Diary's starting plan suggests a 10-20% water change every two weeks, with daily top-ups of fresh RO water. Test water weekly and check salinity. Clean the tank gently to avoid disturbing your shrimp's hiding spots. Furry Diary plan
Can a Blood Red Fire Shrimp live with others?
Yes, it is peaceful with fish and corals and can live alone or in a pair. However, multiple shrimp in a small tank may squabble, so a larger tank is recommended for a group. It is a shy creature that enjoys dim caves.31
How long does a Blood Red Fire Shrimp live?
The exact lifespan is not specified in our sources, but many aquarium shrimp live for a few years. For a more precise estimate, ask a good breeder or your vet.
Can I handle a Blood Red Fire Shrimp?
Handling is not recommended due to its shy nature and delicate exoskeleton. It is best to observe your shrimp from outside the tank to avoid stress or injury.31
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Lysmata debelius (Wikipedia) en.wikipedia.orgused for names, range, size, appearance, reproduction, history, fun facts
- Lysmata debelius, SeaLifeBase sealifebase.seused for author and year, depth range, conservation status
- Blood Red Fire Shrimp, LiveAquaria liveaquaria.comused for care level, water parameters, behaviour, diet, max size, colour variation
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.