Spotted cleaner shrimp
Periclimenes yucatanicus
(Ives)
Description:
This small shrimp looks like Periclimenes pedersoni, so it's body is transparent, but this shrimp is beautifully marked with colored spots and saddle-like markings. The claws and walking legs are striped with white, red and purple. Two pairs of white antennae with dark bands. Size: up to 2.5 cm.
Habitat:
It lives in association with a variety of sea anemones, in particular Condylactis gigantea but also Lebrunia danae, Bartholomea lucida, Bartholomea annulata. The shrimp waves its antennae to attract fish. It will feed on the parasites it removes from the fish's skin.
Depth: ranges from 2 m down to 20 m.
Distribution:
All over the Caribbean.
Remarks:
When approached carefully with an extended hand, it may come out of its protection to clean it.