![]() As such, look towards the bottom levels of your aquarium if you want to spot your peppermints. They almost always attach themselves to some structure. While all crustaceans possess the ability to swim – at least for short bursts – it’s not an everyday activity for peppermint shrimp. Once they feel safe (and the lights go down), they’ll venture out to eat and explore. Peppermints prefer the safety of shadowy ledges over open water. They’re shy – and (in case you forgot) nocturnal. These poor invertebrates have some trust issues. ![]() So it may not surprise you to get your striped crustaceans home from the local fish store, introduce them into your tank, and then watch them vanish. Peppermint shrimp serve as food for plenty of marine predators. Some sponge or netting around the opening will protect them from an accident. This is primarily a problem in smaller tanks where the shrimp get closer to the filter intake. Strong filtration systems can suck them up. Once inside a peaceful tank, they won’t cause you much trouble. They can work with pretty much any type of substrate without a problem. They’re usually happy in tanks that include live rock as the biologically active surfaces trap detritus and offer them plenty of nooks and crannies to explore. And you’ll want to provide some small caves to hide in during the day (remember, they’re nocturnal). You should ensure the peppermint shrimp can efficiently scavenge in and around all of the structures of the tank. (Not unless you decide to bring in a monstrous group, anyway) They don’t demand any specific space, and they won’t take up a ton of volume within the tank. If you have an existing aquarium, you’re usually in the clear. While they’re social invertebrates, they WILL fight if they feel confined in their territory. You don’t want to make things TOO crowded. If you’re planning to keep multiple peppermint shrimp (which you should – they’re not as shy if they’re in a group), then it’s wise to add an extra 5-10 gallons (19-38L) per shrimp. You can get away with a minimum tank size of just ten gallons (38L). Peppermint shrimp are pretty easy to care for due to their small size and hardy nature. If you have a group of these invertebrates, though, odds are ONE of them will decide the snack’s delightful and eradicate your unwanted visitor. And even some Atlantic peppermint shrimp will ignore glass anemones. The Pacific cousin? They’re not interested in Aiptasia. Of course, you need to make sure you have the correct species. If you add a few peppermint shrimp to your tank, they’ll seek out and dine on the pest problem. And many people overlook this beneficial behavior, They’re omnivores that disperse through the aquarium to keep it looking its best. In other words, they scour your tank in search of leftover food, bits of waste, and the usual detritus that floats onto the sand and collects in the nooks and crannies of your live rock. One of the peppermint shrimp’s first – and perhaps most intriguing – behaviors is pitching in as a somewhat less traditional member of the clean-up crew. As long as you observe a few basics of invertebrate care, they’ll reward you with activity and color. They find the majority of their nourishment throughout the tank. Peppermints aren’t picky eaters (which we’ll discuss). Even beginner hobbyists can keep them happy. And before you start to panic over care, these invertebrates aren’t difficult. For a crustacean of their size, that’s not too shabby. They come with a lifespan of up two years – with proper management. And it’ll encourage you to take the time to pause and hunt for those little red antennae among the rocks and coral. Once you understand them better and know what goes into their care, you’ll become fascinated with them as other hobbyists. ![]() That’s where these facts on their behaviors and biology can come in handy. Even in a quick glance through a tank, you might miss these shy tiny crustaceans. You may or may not have encountered peppermint shrimp in your hunts to add invertebrates to your saltwater aquarium. If you’ve never considered these crustaceans before, let’s dive a bit deeper into their quirks, how to care for them, what they’re compatible with – and whether or not you can add them to your reef tank. But they’re also fun, engaging, easy-to-care-for invertebrates that add color and variety to your reef tank. Peppermint shrimp ( Lysmata wurdemanni) are brightly colored, inexpensive saltwater reef shrimp species often recommended to help control Aiptasia anemone populations. ![]()
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