Scarlet cleaner shrimp

Biomimicry: the properties and constituents of shrimp shells have inspired the design of shrilk, a form of inexpensive and biodegradable plastic. Chitin, the element that makes up the shell of shrimp, is used in various fields such as medicine, cosmetics, surgery and wastewater filtration.

Where is the animal to be found?

It lives on coral reefs and at depths of between 20 and 30 metres. The Pacific cleaner shrimp generally lives in pairs or groups of a few individuals.

How can it be recognised?

It is easily identified by the bright red colour of its outer skeleton, with a series of white spots on it. Its antennae and walking legs are also two-coloured with a red base and a white tip. Its claws are red.

What is distinctive about it?

The Pacific cleaner shrimp is a cleaner: it feeds by cleansing the fish in the reef of their parasites or food waste.