Head to head
Cherry Shrimp vs Cleaner Shrimp
The cherry shrimp and the cleaner shrimp are both small, popular aquarium shrimp, but they live in entirely different water types and play very different ecological roles, one a quiet algae grazer, the other an active parasite-removal partner to reef fish.
| Cherry Shrimp | Cleaner Shrimp | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Neocaridina davidi | Lysmata |
| Habitat | Fresh water | Marine coral reefs |
| Feeding style | Grazes algae and biofilm | Picks parasites and dead skin from client fish |
| Relationship with fish | No special relationship | A mutualistic cleaning partnership |
| Size | Small | Larger |
| Colouring | Vivid solid red | Reddish with white markings and long antennae |
| Diet | Omnivore | Carnivore |
| Conservation status | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
Cherry Shrimp vs Cleaner Shrimp: common questions
Which shrimp cleans fish, the cherry shrimp or the cleaner shrimp?
The cleaner shrimp, which runs dedicated cleaning stations on coral reefs where fish deliberately visit to have parasites and dead skin removed; the cherry shrimp has no comparable relationship with fish.
Are the cherry shrimp and cleaner shrimp found in the same type of water?
No, the cherry shrimp lives in fresh water, while the cleaner shrimp is found on marine coral reefs, entirely different aquatic environments.
Which is easier to keep in a typical home aquarium, the cherry shrimp or the cleaner shrimp?
The cherry shrimp is generally easier, since it is a hardy freshwater species, while the cleaner shrimp requires a marine reef setup with more specialized care.