Striped Pacific Peppermint Shrimp
Peppermint Shrimp
Available for local pickup only.
Recognized for their translucent bodies with distinct red striping, Striped Pacific Peppermint Shrimp are both practical and attractive additions to any reef aquarium. Their subtle yet elegant appearance allows them to blend beautifully into rock crevices and shadowed spaces while still offering flashes of color and life.
These nocturnal scavengers are beloved for their natural appetite for nuisance Aiptasia anemones, making them a popular choice for reef keepers seeking a natural pest-control solution. They also help clean up uneaten food and organic waste, contributing to a cleaner, healthier tank ecosystem—especially after lights out.
Key Care Information
Size:
Grows up to 1.5–2 inches (3–5 cm)
Temperament:
Peaceful, shy at first but becomes more active with time; suitable for community reef tanks
Reef Safe:
Generally reef safe
✅ Helps control Aiptasia
⚠️ May occasionally nip at soft corals or LPS if underfed or overcrowded
Diet:
Omnivore
Eats detritus, leftover food, small meaty items
Loves frozen mysis/brine, pellets, and flake food
Known for eating nuisance Aiptasia anemones
Behavior:
Nocturnal; more active in dim light or at night
Hides in live rock during the day
Scavenges and helps maintain tank cleanliness
Can be kept singly or in small groups
Description
Specifications
Video Links
User Manual
Peppermint Shrimp
Available for local pickup and shipping
Common Names:
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Peppermint Shrimp
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Lysmata wurdemanni
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Caribbean Cleaner Shrimp (informal)
Identification
Peppermint Shrimp are small, slender, and translucent with bold red horizontal striping across their body — resembling the stripes on a candy cane or peppermint stick, hence the name. They blend in well with live rock but shine under reef lighting due to their striking coloration and active behavior.
Size:
Typically reaches about 1.5–2 inches (3–5 cm) in length.
Behavior & Role in a Reef Tank
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Temperament: Peaceful and social; often seen in small groups.
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Habitat: Nocturnal by nature — most active at night or in low-light conditions. They hide in crevices or under overhangs during the day.
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Diet: Omnivorous — feeds on leftover food, detritus, and even pest anemones like Aiptasia (depending on individual behavior).
Compatibility & Caution
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Reef-Safe: Generally reef-safe; however, some individuals may nip at feather dusters or other small sessile inverts if not well-fed.
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Pest Control: Known for their ability to eat Aiptasia anemones — although results can vary from shrimp to shrimp.
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Caution: Not recommended to keep with larger aggressive fish or crustacean-eating predators.
Care Level
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Difficulty: Easy — great for beginners.
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Water Conditions: Stable reef parameters — temp 72–78 °F, SG 1.023–1.025, pH 8.1–8.4.
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Diet: Accepts a wide variety of food — pellets, flake, frozen mysis, brine, and reef blends. Supplement feeding if natural detritus or pests are limited.
Tank Mates
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Excellent with other peaceful shrimp and reef-safe invertebrates.
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Avoid aggressive wrasses, triggers, or hawkfish that may view them as food.
Fun Fact
Peppermint Shrimp are one of the most popular natural pest control options in the reef hobby due to their potential to control Aiptasia outbreaks. They also breed readily in reef tanks, providing interesting behavior as part of your cleanup crew!