Pederson Cleaner Shrimp in Cozumel
Pederson Cleaner Shrimp (*Ancylomenes pedersoni*) in Cozumel: how to find it, how its cleaning station works, and what it is confused with.
Almost completely transparent, marked with violet spots and bands, living on or beside a corkscrew anemone. Easy to miss until it moves.
Quick ID
| Scientific name | Ancylomenes pedersoni |
|---|---|
| Group | Crustaceans — Lobster, Shrimp & Crabs |
| Typical size | 2–3 cm |
| Depth range | 3–25 m |
| When to see it | Year-round |
| Active | Daytime |
| Conservation status | Least Concern |
| Notes | — |
Where You Will See It In Cozumel
On anemones at Tormentos, Yucab and Chankanaab, usually several on one host.
Reliable sites: Tormentos, Yucab, Chankanaab Reef.
Behaviour
Runs a cleaning station from the anemone, waving to attract fish and then working over the body, gills and mouth. Immune to the anemone's sting, which gives it a defended shopfront.
Commonly Confused With
- Banded coral shrimp — Banded coral shrimp are larger with bold red-and-white bands and banded claws.
- Spotted cleaner shrimp — Spotted cleaner shrimp are stouter with white-edged spots and also live on anemones.
Diving Etiquette And Safety
Do not touch the anemone. Hold position and watch — cleaning stations are the best five minutes on most Cozumel reefs.
Part of the Cozumel marine life guide · see Cozumel dive sites · plan your Cozumel dive trip
Photo: Laszlo Ilyes, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
