Tuesday Tip: Peppermint Shrimp

Peppermint Shrimp ("Lysmata wurdenmanni") are opaque to creamy-clear in color, with red or maroon-colored stripes running along the length of the body. They are about 2 inches long with antennae that run about the same length.

This species is often misrepresented and sold as the Camelback Shrimp; however, these two species are NOT the same and should not be confused. There is only one TRUE Peppermint Shrimp.

Peppermint Shrimp are nocturnal and are very shy during the day. They protect themselves from predators by staying out of sight most of the time. At night, when the big boys are asleep, however, this shrimp forages around looking for a meal.

The Peppermint is generally peaceful with other tank inhabitants but may not get along well with Coral Banded Shrimp of the same sex. It may also pick on other species of shrimp.

This shrimp is known for eating Aiptasia anemones -- it eats them like candy! Place 3 or 4 in a tank to really clean up infestations. Once all the anemones are gone, though, you must provide them with food. Don't allow the Aiptasia to grow larger than an inch or so because the shrimp won't go after the really large ones. Add the shrimp to the tank early on to keep the anemones from overrunning the tank in the first place!

The Peppermint Shrimp is a carnivore, scavenging the bottom of the aquarium, sifting the sand for food. In captivity, it will accept a varied diet of prepared fresh and frozen foods suitable for carnivores, vitamin-enriched flakes, freeze-dried krill, or live adult brine shrimp. This shrimp is best fed at least once a day.