What To Cleaner Shrimp Do ?

Just what is it that cleaner shrimp do ? Mine is alive & well. I've been told he cleans parasites off the fish, but he also spends alot of time crawling over the coral. Is he the salt water equivalent of the cat fish ?

 

Most will pick at your hands and arms also to remove dead flesh thats about all the do they set up cleaning stations and the fish come in for a fast clean every so often.. Best ones I have had where the Blood shrimps the skunks are really good also..

 

All shrimps (with exception of saron and harlequin) eat detritus and are basically scavangers

 

Probably the onlry reef safe scavenger

HI,
I keep 5 peppermint with sea horses and they completly groom the and clean up the rocks if any food is in them the seahorses seem tolerate them if the crawl on one..
I like all types I have 3 skunks,1 coral banded (best to keep only one) and a bunch of those pepermints, and fire shrimp.
They steal food from the anaemone occasionlly, I gues their body armor keeps them from being stung.
Doug

 

My cleaner shrimp cleans the fish and cleans stuff off the coral...and me too! They are funny but mine is a pig, it takes food from fish and corals.

 

Omnivores as are many species of crab. They really aren't fussy...Skunk Cleaner shrimp are the best at cleaning, and are normally the only ones that you will see on a regular basis!
I hardly ever see my Fire or Peppermint shrimp, unless it is feeding time!