Lima Shrimp
Microprosthema semilaeve
Saltwater Invertebrate
Species Group: Shrimp
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Water parameters
Temp
76-80 F
Temperature
Maintaining a stable and appropriate temperature is critical for the survival of aquatic life.
pH 7.8 - 8.4 potential of HydrogenMeasuring the acidity or alkalinity of water on a 0–14 scale, where 7 is neutral, 7 is alkaline.
NO3 1-20 ppm NitrateWhile less toxic than ammonia, high nitrate levels (above 40–80 ppm) are important to monitor because they can cause fish stress, stunted growth, and harmful algae blooms.
NO2 <0.0001 ppm NitriteIt is a highly toxic, intermediate compound in the nitrogen cycle produced from broken-down ammonia
PO4 0.01 - 0.1 ppm PhosphateIt is essential for plant development but must be managed, as excess levels trigger nuisance algae blooms and inhibit coral calcification.
NH3 <0.1 ppm AmmoniaIt is the primary killer of aquarium fish, causing gill damage, stress, and death
Ca 380 - 450 ppm CalciumSupporting the growth, skeletal structure, and shell formation of corals, mollusks, crustaceans, and coralline algae
KH 8 - 12 dKH AlkalinityIt acts as a shield, neutralizing acids to prevent dangerous pH "crashes" that can harm fish, corals, and plants.
Mg 1200 - 1400 ppm MagnesiumIt enables coral growth by supporting skeletal formation, assists in metabolic processes, and ensures that calcium is available for corals, clams, and coralline algae.
SG 1.023 - 1.026 SG SalinityEssential for maintaining stable, natural water parameters, proper osmoregulation, and stress-free environments for marine fish and corals
ORP 250 - 400 mV Oxidation-Reduction PotentialA higher positive mV indicates clean, oxygen-rich water with high water quality, while low readings indicate high pollution.
About Lima Shrimp
General information
The Lima Shrimp or Lima Boxer Shrimp is a very poorly known marine crustacean from the Caribbean. Lima shrimp are tiny too, growing to have a body length of only half an inch long, with enlarged primary claws that make them look larger. Brilliant red coloration of the Lima Shrimp helps it to live in flame scallops with which it blends perfectly. A small reef animal such as this deserves to be kept in a nano aquarium with a small harem of flame scallops to choose from.
In the wild they prefer to hide under rocks, so don’t be surprised if they disappear under something in your aquarium. We usually see these shrimp as pairs in the wild, and can often get one of them, but because they are small and secretive, it’s really hard to get both. Also, the small size and specialized nature of the Lima Boxer Shrimp and its live flame scallop hosts makes them hard to find in the wild and it has prevented this animal from becoming as popular as the widely kept sexy shrimp and harlequin shrimp.
They aren’t aggressive and they don’t mess with corals, anemones, or other tank mates, but they will become food for most fish or other shrimp, so be careful what you mix them with. Proper water conditions should be as follow;72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025.
Diet & nutrition
They readily eat small pellet foods, so they aren’t difficult to keep.
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