The Peppermint Shrimp: Lysmata Wurdemanni

One of the smaller wonders associated with the astonishing and beautiful underwater world ...we call the "reef" is the peppermint shrimp! The diminutive size of the Peppermint shrimp should in no way effect your decision to obtain one of these enticing and beneficial beauties. No, they don't taste like peppermint, but are assessed their name due to their opaque or creamy, whitish carapace coloration with red lines that run length wise extending across the lysmata wurdemanni's body reminiscent of a peppermint candy.

The peppermint shrimp hails from the Caribbean and, is in fact, endemic to the Caribbean. Attaining a maximum size of just two inches, the peppermint shrimp is truly one of the smaller invertebrates associated with a marine reef biotope. This should not be a deterrent in aquarists eyes due to such a small size stature since the beneficial implications that can be employed with the purchase of one or more of these far outweighs the size disadvantage. For one, the cleaning properties that may be associated with the peppermint, or other cleaner shrimp is amazing, entertaining and a unique scenario that will unfold before your eyes for the benefit of your shrimp as well as that of the fish that succumbs to the valuable parasitic removal regimen. The shrimp receives a meal while the fish gets a free cleaning-how sweet is that!

Peppermint shrimp are an essential part of a diverse and unique biotope for other reasons as well. Their ability to forage for food in areas within a tank that are hard to get at areas such as in between live rock and coral formations that would otherwise be neglected by fish and other larger inhabitants goes without saying. Possibly spurring unwanted, nuisance algae growth or fluctuating water parameter levels as a result of nitrate or pH spikes and pitfalls, uneaten food can pose a problem.

Lysmata shrimp species are not fussy as far as food is concerned! They will eagerly accept mysis and brine shrimp, clam, squid, algae and vegetable food and in either flake, pellet or frozen form. In addition to this food that is offered by the aquarist, they will also feed upon pods and other sources of viable food stuff that can be obtained within the confines of the aquarists tank living in and on live rock, corals and substrate.

As is often the case with invertebrates, they seem to be less hardy than most fish species and will succumb to disease or death in the presence of elevated or depreciated water parameters. They are especially susceptible to drastic changes in salinity, alkalinity and pH. When addressing these variables, it is vital to correct these parameter issues gradually and over an extended period of time.

Care must be addressed in terms of the compatibility issues and the peppermint shrimps ability to coexist with other invertebrates and larger more boisterous fish species, such as but not limited to grouper, large squirrel fish, lion fish, hawkfish, larger angels and eels. Many larger species of fish will not think twice about having a nice appetizer ala shrimp, if their cleaning services are not regarded as pertinent to the fishes liking.

Peppermint shrimp are a shy shrimp, that will do best with numerous coral formations and plenty of live rock to offer substantial hiding places and ideal locations to forage for food. Your chances of viewing your peppermint shrimp are during feeding periods and after the lights go off.

If these scenarios are met, then the chances of having success with a peppermint or other reef safe shrimp is elevated. What better way of increasing the diverse, enjoyable and beautiful reef aquarium, than with the addition of a peppermint shrimp. After all, that is what it all about, isn't it replicating the most amazing and vibrant collaboration of reef dwelling fish, invert and corals that coexist together in a closed system as close as your living room.