Sunday Invertebrates - The Peppermint Shrimp

The Peppermint Shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni) hails from the Caribbean, and can grow to a maximum size of about 1.5" inches long. They require a minimum tank size of 10 gallons or larger and prefer bright, reef type lighting. Peppermint shrimps can live up to 4 years in captivity if given the proper conditions.

The Peppermint Shrimp earns it's name from the red and white striped markings all over it's body, it looks like a piece of peppermint candy. An efficient scavenger, this crustacean should be fed twice daily to help prevent it from stealing food away from tank mates such as corals, anemones and other slower creatures.

The Peppermint Shrimp is best known as natural treatment for Aiptasia Anemones, as they tend to eat them. They are nocturnal and reclusive, preferring caves and hiding spaces in the rock work of an aquarium. It is common to never see them once introduced to an aquarium.