[Originally posted to the Moorea Coral Reef LTER (MCR LTER) Marine Life Encyclopedia]

Banded Cleaner Shrimp
(Stenopus hispidus)

Photo by Gerick Bergsma

Cleaner shrimp clean parasites and injured tissue from reef fish, and "dance" by swaying side to side and whipping their antennae to attract clients.


	S. hispidus is found on tropical reefs worldwide.

	Reef flats and protected reef environments

	Fish parasites and dead tissue

	Cleaner shrimp are highly territorial and may remain within a one meter area for as long as one year. Males and females are often found in pairs, and it is believed that cleaner shrimp mate with one partner for life. Females are usually larger than males, and mating can only occur when females have recently molted their exoskeleton.

	Coming Soon - Moorea Biocode Database