Peppermint shrimp, which are sometimes called “sweeper shrimp,” are great additions to community reef tanks. They are better than other cleaner shrimps in a number of ways. Unlike many ornamental shrimps, the peppermint shrimp is not aggressive or territorial. These beautiful inverts can be kept in a colony of peppermint shrimp but can also be kept solo. Today we’re going to talk about some good reasons peppermint shrimp are great for reef tanks.
People often call this species “peppermint shrimp.” It lives in the warm water of the Florida Keys and the Gulf of Mexico. Like their Lysmata relatives, L. boggessi have a semi-transparent appearance. Their bodies are small, no larger than a couple of inches.
Their exoskeleton is light reddish in color, just like the other Lysmata shrimps. The body is also covered in streaked red and white bands. Simply put, they look like peppermint candy canes! However, when peppermint shrimps are stressed, they will become pale. They may even lose their vivid red color and become completely transparent.
It’s easy to confuse it with another shrimp species in the Lysmata genus. There is still a bit of debate surrounding the taxonomy of these shrimps. It is very likely that members of the Lysmata genus were frequently misidentified in the aquarium trade. However, not all the Lysmata genus will readily eat aiptasia like L. boggessi. While L. wurdemanni and L. rathbunae are great cleaner shrimp, they do not readily eat aiptasia.
Peppermint shrimp can live for a few years in a healthy reef tank. When peppermint shrimp reach maturity, their size ranges from 1. 5 to 2 inches. In the wild, these shrimp can be found in large numbers along the East Atlantic coast, in the Caribbean Sea, and in the Gulf of Mexico. These shrimps are commonly found along the rocky undersides of the reef. The Peppermint Shrimp thrives in reef scapes with live rock, plenty of hiding spots, and open scavenging areas.
The Peppermint Shrimp is well celebrated for its ability to naturally control invasive aiptasia or glass anemones. Keep in mind that L. boggessi is the only species that truly will prey on aiptasia. Lysmata wurdemanni, despite being classified as a “cleaner” shrimp, is more of a scavenger. The Peppermint Shrimp eats uneaten food and decomposing organic material around the reef tank and live rock.
It’s easy to mix up the Peppermint Shrimp, which is also known as the Veined or Caribbean Cleaner Shrimp, with the Rhynchocinetes durbanensis camel shrimp. However, R. durbanensis has very distinctive features. The camel shrimp looks a lot like the peppermint shrimp. It has a pointy nose and a hump on its back.
Most reef tank residents find peppermint shrimp to be friendly and pleasant. Like other invertebrates, peppermint shrimp will not tolerate excessively high nitrate levels. Iodine is a required trace element and necessary to promote healthy molting. Additional feeding should not be necessary. The peppermint shrimp’s dietary needs will likely be met through scavenging. In fact, peppermint shrimp that are very well fed have been known to stop eating aiptasia!.
The peppermint shrimp is highly sought after mainly for its feeding habits. It is a creature that feeds on detritus and aiptasia. What more could someone want from a clean-up crew? These bugs are sensitive even though they work hard as members of the clean-up crew. As a result, providing a proper reef tank set up and a diligent maintenance routine is crucial.
Emerging under the cover of darkness to search for food, the peppermint shrimp are most active at night. They are easy enough to care for, provided water parameters are stable and consistent. Most ornamental shrimps are sensitive to acclimate, so a slow drip acclimation is suggested. After they have acclimated to the new system, they are very low maintenance inverts.
Peppermint shrimps are found in water temperatures ranging between 64–78 degrees Fahrenheit. In the reef tank, we would suggest maintaining a stable temperature between 72-78 F. The recommended parameters are pH 8. 2-8. 4, dKH 8-12, and sg 1. 023-1. 025. Lastly, we suggest using a timer to adhere to a consistent lighting schedule.
Keeping a natural reef scape with plenty of live rock is a great habitat for peppermint shrimps. It is best to give them a lot of places to hide and open spaces in the reef where they can look for food or hide. Peppermint shrimp are quiet and shy, but if too many of them are put in a small tank, they may fight over territory. We would suggest adding no more than one peppermint shrimp per every ten gallons of water. This way, they’ll have enough room to move around, and aggressive behavior should be kept to a minimum.
Try to keep them in small colonies of 4-5 shrimp. They can get stressed from isolation. Another factor in the lifespan of these small shrimps is water stability. Large and frequent water changes and repeated shuffling of rock work can put stress on these animals. Additionally, introducing new fishes too often can further strain sensitive inverts.
Peppermint shrimps are one of the best choices for controlling an aiptasia outbreak in the reef tank. But it’s very important to buy them from a trustworthy source if you want to add them to a mixed reef. This is because L. boggessi so closely resembles other Lysmata species that are not reef-safe.
Another reason to purchase peppermint shrimp from a trustworthy source is to promote sustainable practices. Peppermint shrimps are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity, but there are successful breeders. Purchasing captive-bred shrimp will encourage conservation. This works by reducing the demand for wild-caught animals.
The peppermint shrimps are inverts that will be a great fit for many reef tank systems. They are hard-working clean-up squad members and, in most systems, eliminate aiptasia. Peppermint shrimp are also a lot of fun to watch, and their interesting behaviors will keep reef keepers entertained. We hope this short article has helped you decide if peppermint shrimp would be a good choice for your reef.
Peppermint shrimp are a popular addition to many reef tanks, instantly adding a pop of color with their bright red stripes. But before dropping one of these little cleaners into your aquarium, it’s important to determine if they’ll play nice with the other inhabitants.
In this article we’ll take a close look at peppermint shrimp and examine if they are in fact reef safe.
Peppermint shrimp, scientifically known as Lysmata wurdemanni, are a species of cleaner shrimp native to the western Atlantic Ocean region. They are found throughout the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.
These small shrimp grow to around 15 inches in length and get their name from the distinctive red and white stripes running horizontally down their translucent bodies. When threatened or stressed, peppermint shrimp will become pale or even completely transparent
Peppermint shrimp are nocturnal, emerging at night to scavenge for food across the rocks and substrate. During the day, they tend to hide within crevices and under ledges
They are omnivorous, feeding on detritus, uneaten food, algae, and even parasites on fish. Their diverse palate allows them to thrive in reef tanks as tank cleaners.
Reef Safe Behavior
The reef safe designation broadly means that a species won’t harm other tank inhabitants like fish, corals, and other invertebrates. Peppermint shrimp excel in meeting this benchmark.
Here’s an overview of their harmless behaviors:
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Peaceful by nature: Peppermint shrimp have a timid, non-aggressive temperament. They won’t bother any tankmates.
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Don’t damage coral: Peppermint shrimp only pick at algae and detritus, leaving coral tissue unharmed.
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Small size, small impact: At just 1.5 inches, these shrimp have a negligible bioload impact on water quality.
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No chemical weapons: Unlike some shrimp species, peppermints don’t have any means to chemically harm corals or other inverts.
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Don’t nip at fish: Peppermint shrimp focus on scavenging for food and don’t harass or nip at fish.
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No territorial disputes: Unlike some ornamental shrimp, peppermints are not territorial and can be kept in groups.
Compatibility with Corals
A major concern when adding any new inhabitant to a reef tank is its compatibility with corals. Corals are delicate and even a seemingly harmless species can sometimes damage or kill them.
The good news is that peppermint shrimp represent no threat to coral health. Their small mouths are designed for picking at algae, not for tearing at coral flesh.
Soft corals, LPS corals, SPS corals can all safely coexist with these shrimp. They will carefully pick away at any algae growth near coral colonies but avoid harming the living tissue.
Some aquarists even strategically place peppermint shrimp near afflicted corals to help clean away pest algae. Just monitor any direct interaction closely.
Reef Fish Compatibility
Most species of fish can be housed with peppermint shrimp without any issues arising. A few exceptions do exist:
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Shrimp-eating fish: Blennies, triggers, lions, puffers and some wrasses may view the shrimp more as food than tankmate. Avoid combining.
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Nippy fish: Damselfish and angelfish can sometimes nip at shrimp, especially if cramped conditions exist. Provide ample space.
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Territorial fish: Butterflyfish may not appreciate the movement and activity of shrimp in their claimed area.
For any predatory or aggressive fish, adding the shrimp first is advisable so that an existing hierarchy exists before introductions.
Getting Along with Other Invertebrates
Peppermint shrimp are able to integrate into tanks with a variety of other invertebrates without trouble. They don’t compete for food due to their role as detritivores. Nor are they aggressive or territorial.
Some common tankmates include:
- Snails like astrea, trochus, turbo, nerite
- Hermit crabs
- Sea stars like serpent and sand stars
- Urchins like pencil and diadema
- Clams
- Anemones
The only invertebrates peppermint shrimp may potentially fight with are other shrimp species, particularly those occupying a similar niche. But overall, they play nice with most tankmates.
A Note on Molting
One exception to peppermint shrimp’s generally harmless nature is when they are molting. All crustaceans periodically shed their exoskeleton as they grow.
During this vulnerable molting process, which lasts 12-36 hours, peppermint shrimp can become highly sensitive. Even normally passive tankmates may become a temporary threat.
It’s a good idea to provide ample sheltered spots for molting so they aren’t easily disturbed during this period.
Controlling Aiptasia Anemones
One of the most celebrated behaviors of peppermint shrimp is their appetite for Aiptasia anemones. These pesky anemones can rapidly spread through reef tanks and are difficult to eradicate.
But peppermint shrimp will eagerly feed on them, providing a natural method of control. By browsing tank rockwork for these nuisance anemones, the shrimp perform a tremendous service.
Not all peppermint shrimp individuals exhibit this trait consistently. But it’s common enough that they are valued for their potential to manage Aiptasia.
Are Peppermint Shrimp Reef Safe? The Verdict
Based on their peaceful temperament, small size, lack of aggression, and cleaning behaviors, peppermint shrimp are considered reef safe by most aquarists.
They can be integrated into established tanks with corals, fish and other invertebrates without posing a meaningful threat. As always, monitor any new addition initially to ensure compatibility.
Their colorful stripes and active scavenging make peppermint shrimp an excellent way to add both aesthetic appeal and utility to marine tanks. Their reputation as one of the few natural Aiptasia predators seals their value.
For reef keepers seeking an interesting shrimp that serves a helpful role, it’s easy to see why peppermint shrimp are a popular choice. Their reef safe status simply makes this cleaner shrimp an even easier recommendation.
Peppermint Shrimp – Good or Bad guys?! (Lysmata wurdemanni)
Are peppermint shrimp reef safe?
Are Peppermint Shrimp Reef-Safe? The Peppermint shrimp, Lysmata wurdemanni, is generally considered to be reef safe, which means that they are routinely compatible with the fish, corals, and other invertebrates kept in a community reef aquarium. They do pose some risk to LPS corals occasionally.
Is it good to have peppermint?
The menthol in peppermint may work as a decongestant and make it easier to breathe if you are ill. Peppermint is also often used to relieve symptoms of nausea, especially during chemotherapy. Lastly, limited research has shown that peppermint may be helpful to reduce symptoms of IBS.
Are peppermint shrimp safe to eat?
Fortunately, Peppermint Shrimps are generally considered to be reef-safe invertebrates. Make sure not to mistake them for the destructive Atlantic Peppermint Shrimp that can strip several corals in just one night. Peppermint Shrimps are peaceful and non-aggressive and shouldn’t have any issue coexisting with your fish or corals.
Can peppermint shrimp live in a community reef tank?
So, if you are keeping them in a community reef tank with other fishes and invertebrates, you need to ensure that the other inhabitants are comfortable with that temperature. The perfect water pH level for Peppermint Shrimp is 8.1 to 8.4. This means that they ideally stay comfortable in alkaline water conditions.