Hippolytidae - Cleaner Shrimps

Cleaner shrimps are named for their habit of removing parasites and diseased tissue from the bodies of other organisms, such as fishes and other crustaceans. In return the hosts provide protection to the shrimps. Sometimes a pair of cleaner shrimps will set up "cleaning stations" where fish who wish to be cleaned can come by and visit. They sometimes even enter the mouths and gills of other fish to clean without the fear of being eaten. A relationship where each organism benefits from the relationship is called symbiosis. Cleaner shrimp can usually be found in many saltwater aquariums where they are used to keep the aquarium clean.