Scientific
Name: Lysmata wurdemanni
Family:
Crustaceans
Common Names: Peppermint Shrimp
Description:
The Peppermint shrimp is attractively but inconspicuously colored, usually a
light pink to red in color. The body has darker small red stripes
along its body.
Natural Environment:
Tropical western Atlantic
Care:
Reef Suitability: There are several different types of
shrimp sold as "Peppermint" shrimp. The ones illustrated here are the true Lysmata wurdenmanni which are
completely reef safe. Other shrimp sold under the same name may not be
completely safe in the reef tank. Peppermint shrimp are mostly nocturnal,
reclusive, fairly non-descript and their main claim to fame is that they will
usually eat the pest anemone Aiptasia. The picture at the bottom shows a
Peppermint Shrimp attempting to make a meal out of an dieing clam, but they do not
seem to bother healthy clams.
Disposition: Seem to be fairly benign and
do not seem to bother the other tank inhabitants (except Aiptasia). They
will use their long stiff antennae to ward off curious fish.
Feeding: They spend their night scavenging and will learn to come
out during normal feeding times and get their share, but they will always remain
fairly wary. They will eat any of
the meaty foods offered. Of course, if you have Aiptasia in the tank, you
will not want to directly feed them in order to encourage them to eat the pest
anemones. The larger shrimp tend to be better predators of Aiptasia than
the small ones.
Hardiness: Very hardy. They will frequently breed
in the reef tank, but the larvae do not normally survive.
Temperature: Does well within normal reef tank temperature ranges of at
least 76-84°F.
Size: Body length of about 2" with antennae that are
about the same length.
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