Environment
Fact-checked

At AllThingsNature, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What Is a Peppermint Shrimp?

R. Britton
R. Britton

The peppermint shrimp, or Lysmasta wurdemanni, is a small, reasonably hardy marine crustacean. These small, shy invertebrates are popular with marine aquarium enthusiasts mainly because they eat invading glass anemones, which can quickly overrun a tank. They are fairly hardy but caregivers must simulate their natural habitat to ensure their continued good health. Care should also be taken when introducing medication to the environment and with the aquarium's water quality.

Commonly known as the Caribbean cleaner shrimp, the peppermint shrimp is primarily a bottom-feeding scavenger and are prized by marine aquarists because of their love of glass anemones. These crustaceans will also eat flakes, as well as fresh, frozen, and live meaty food products including chunks of fresh, raw fish. The peppermint shrimp should be fed regularly, the same as any other tank inhabitant, particularly if there is a shortage of glass anemones.

Peppermint shrimp are popular with marine aquarium enthusiasts mainly because they eat invading glass anemones, which can quickly overrun a tank.
Peppermint shrimp are popular with marine aquarium enthusiasts mainly because they eat invading glass anemones, which can quickly overrun a tank.

Peppermint shrimp are not aggressive and do not attack healthy tank mates. However, because they are scavengers, they will attempt to eat very sick tank mates. Therefore, if any other tank inhabitants are unwell, it is advisable to place them in a quarantine cage or behind a partition.

This marine crustacean has a native range consisting primarily of temperate and tropical areas of the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. They are nocturnal and very shy, although, in captivity, they will venture out briefly during daylight hours to feed providing other tank mates are not too aggressive or boisterous. Well-established reef aquariums provide an ideal environment for the peppermint shrimp, providing the temperature remains between 75° Fahrenheit and 85° Fahrenheit.

Well-established reef aquariums provide an ideal environment for these hardy little invertebrates providing that the tank conditions are stable and simulate the natural environment as closely as possible. Tank lights should not be left on all day and all night, but instead should be turned on and off on a regular basis to simulate day and night. Ideally, the diet of the peppermint shrimp, and any other marine tank dweller should be varied to ensure that a properly balanced, fully nutritious diet is provided.

Their shy disposition and nocturnal nature means that peppermint shrimp require plenty of hiding places in which to spend the daylight hours. Again, this simulates the natural environment and also helps to prevent unnecessary stress, which can be fatal. Providing tank conditions remain stable and they are not overly stressed by adverse conditions, they will breed readily.

Raising the larval shrimp to maturity is not an easy task. The larvae need to be placed in a separate tank with specialized diet and care. If left in the main tank, the youngsters will most likely be devoured or will die off because they are unable to tolerate the food and conditions.

As an invertebrate, peppermint shrimp cannot cope with high copper or nitrate levels and will quickly die in these conditions. It is, therefore, very important to remember not to add any copper-based medications to any tank with with this type of shrimp or any other invertebrate present. These creatures can be placed in a separate tank if copper-based treatment is necessary, but must not be returned until all traces of copper have been removed and the nitrates have returned to safe levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is a peppermint shrimp?

A peppermint shrimp, scientifically known as Lysmata wurdemanni, is a small, colorful crustacean native to the warm waters of the Western Atlantic Ocean. They are popular in the aquarium trade for their striking red and white striped pattern and their beneficial role in controlling pests like the glass anemone.

What size aquarium is suitable for a peppermint shrimp?

Peppermint shrimp thrive in established aquariums with plenty of hiding places. A tank of at least 10 gallons is recommended to provide adequate space for these shrimp to explore and carry out their natural behaviors. Larger tanks can support multiple individuals, which can be beneficial since they are social creatures.

What do peppermint shrimp eat?

Peppermint shrimp are omnivores and scavengers, feeding on a variety of foods including detritus, leftover fish food, and parasites. They are particularly valued for their appetite for nuisance pests like Aiptasia, or glass anemones, which they help control in reef aquariums, contributing to a healthier tank environment.

How long do peppermint shrimp live?

In a well-maintained aquarium, peppermint shrimp can live up to 2 years. Their lifespan is influenced by factors such as water quality, diet, and the presence of predators. Regular tank maintenance and a balanced diet can help maximize their lifespan.

Can peppermint shrimp be kept with other marine creatures?

Peppermint shrimp are generally peaceful and can coexist with a variety of marine life. However, they should not be kept with aggressive predators or large fish that may see them as food. They are reef-safe and can be an excellent addition to a community tank with other invertebrates and non-predatory fish.

Do peppermint shrimp reproduce in captivity?

Yes, peppermint shrimp are known to reproduce in captivity. They are protandric simultaneous hermaphrodites, meaning they start as males and develop female reproductive organs as they mature. Successful breeding requires specific conditions, and raising the larvae to adulthood can be challenging due to their complex life cycle and planktonic larval stage.

Discuss this Article

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Peppermint shrimp are popular with marine aquarium enthusiasts mainly because they eat invading glass anemones, which can quickly overrun a tank.
      By: Arkady Chubykin
      Peppermint shrimp are popular with marine aquarium enthusiasts mainly because they eat invading glass anemones, which can quickly overrun a tank.