Peppermint Shrimp - Lysmata wurdemanni
For: Aiptasia Control & Tank Cleaning
"The TRUE Peppermint"
Be careful!! There is another species of shrimp that looks identical to this one & I don't consider it reef safe! The only one you want is a true Lysmata wurdemanni.
Peppermint shrimp are great scavengers of the tank, not only eating uneaten fish foods & other wastes, they are a natural predator of the stinging pest Aiptasia. Kept in multiples they will bear & release eggs creating a feeding treat for tank mates!
If you have fish in your tank do not target feed them. If you do not have fish you will want to feed the shrimp just a tiny bit of flake food every couple of days until you introduce your first fish. Then let the shrimp feed themselves & help keep your fish & your tank clean.
Note: They will shed their entire body, legs & even antenna shell when they need to grow. The shell left behind makes you think they might have died! They may hide a bit after shedding as their new shell hardens.
Can be kept singly but pairs will produce more eggs & you'll get to see fun behaviors as they hang out together! Can also be kept with other shrimp like the Cleaner Shrimp. They normally "hang out" during the day & are more active at dusk & nighttime.
Recommended per tank up to:
2 /3 Ft - 4 /4 Ft - 6+ /6 Ft
Average size is 1.5-2 inch body shell. I normally buy them medium sized so I know they are young. They grow large very fast here so if you receive a large one, don't think it's old! They are just well taken care of here. :c)
Pictures are examples only. Expect some variations.
