Lysmata amboinensis LYSAMB-080893-WILJOY-004

This entry was posted on Sunday, August 8th, 1993 and is filed under Shrimps, Spawning Reports.

The Breeder’s Registry© Information contained in this report is taken from submitted observations from aquarist unless noted otherwise (see comments). Information may be reproduced providing the Breeder’s Registry is cited.


Breeder ID: LYSAMB-080893-WILJOY-004

Date received: 8/8/93

Identification: Lysmata amboinensis (De Man, 1888)

Geographic origin: Indo-pacific


Taxonomy: (after I.C.Z.N.)

Kingdom Animalia

Phylum Arthropoda

Subphylum Branchiata (=Diantennata)

Class Crustacea Subclass Malacostraca

Order Decapoda Suborder Natantia

Family Hippolytidae

Genus Lysmata (Risso, 1816)

Species amboinensis (De Man, 1888)


Duration female 1 (yr): 0.7

Size female 1 (mm): 51

Duration female 2 (yr): 0.7

Size female 2 (mm): 51

Broodstock notes: Both purchased at ~ 18 mm

Physical differences: None noted (both are females)

Adult diet: Shrimp, krill, fish eggs, flakefood, VHP®, Formula 1®, fed twice daily

Pre-spawning activity: After each molt ( ~ 14 days) each shrimp produces green eggs which are attached to the abdomen.

Time spawning began: Area spawning occurred:

Frequency of spawning: 14 days

Egg description: Green and compact mass

Approximate quantity: >200

Size: 0.6 X 1.2 mm

Egg changes / development: Green to yellow to white to silver. “Fluffy” and attached.

Incubation period: ~ 14 days

Time hatching occurred: ?

Size of hatching larvae: 2.2 x 0.1 mm

Yolk sac present?: doubtful

Newly hatched appearance: Difficult to see without microscope. Egg mass sometimes remains on molt. After 3 hours eggs are dead

Transfer / removal method: Egg laden shrimp moved to “larval rearing” tank


Spawning tank size (liter): 75

Sides of tank covered? No

Lighting & photoperiod: 1 – 20 watt fluorescent Actinic 03; 1 – 20 watt fluorescent Ultralume®, (13 hours)

Filtration: Undergravel filter, mechanical filtration, ultraviolet sterilizer.

Additives and dosages: iodide occasionally added

Water temperature (F): 78-82

Specific gravity: 1.021

pH: not indicated

Nitrate: ~40 ppm


Fry development / changes: Microscopically the larvae have 10+ appendages with “velcro-like” burrs that snag on algae and anything else

First food offered: rotifers

Survival 1st week(%): 0%

Development description: not indicated


Comments: Cleaner shrimp “appear” to be hermaphroditic spawners. The larvae appear as specks of dust. Rearing will be challenging. A container with slick sides and water free from solids will be needed.. Difficult to see and contain hundreds of “snagging hairs”. Lower nitrates may contribute to producing more viable larvae.

Word origin: Lysmata appears to be from the Greek roots Lys meaning loose and mat, -aeo, -eo, meaning foolish or idle. The species amboinensis is from the Latin roots ambo meaning both; in meaning without ; and -ensi, =s meaning a sword. The literal translation seems a bit confusing and the genus Lysmata may refer to the cleaner shrimps leaving the substrate (loose) to clean fish capable of eating them (foolish). The meaning of the species name amboinensis can be literally translated as “both without a sword”, but the significance of this is not clear.

The order Decapoda means “ten legs” (Deca indicating ten and pod meaning foot. The suborder Nantia refers to shrimp. The family Hippolytidae are the “cleaner” shrimp. There appears no Latin or Greek root for Nantia and Hippolytidae appears to be a combination of hippo meaning “horse” and ly another word for loose, and idae being a standard suffix for an animal, although generally used on family designations.

About this report: Information contained in this report is taken from submitted observations. Taxonomy, Synonomy, Original description , Word origin and Suggested reading are provided by member(s) of The Breeder’s Registry staff. Information is presented under the belief that it is accurate. If you have information in addition to, or contrary to that presented you are encouraged to contact the Breeder’s Registry. Permission is granted for “one-time” personal use. Reproduction as distributed or accessible media is prohibited without prior written permission. All rights reserved. 1993

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