Peppermint Shrimp

A peppermint shrimp could be your next best addition if you’re like me and have struggled with Aiptasia.

While they’re generally easy to care for, they can sometimes be mistaken for similar species. Keep reading to learn how to choose the right shrimp and help them do well in your tank.

What Peppermint Shrimp Look Like

Peppermint shrimp have a translucent body with red stripes running lengthwise, giving them their candy-inspired name. They grow up to 1¾ inches long, with two pairs of long, stiff antennae.

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Their straight back distinguishes them from the similar camelback shrimp, which has a noticeable hump.

Don’t be confused with this look-alike:

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Camelback Shrimp (Rhynchocinetes durbanensis)

•   Has a distinctive hump on its back
•   Red and white striped legs (peppermint shrimp have solid red or transparent legs)
•   Rarely eats Aiptasia anemones

Diet And Feeding

Peppermint shrimp are opportunistic omnivores with a diverse diet in home reef tanks. They’re natural scavengers, constantly foraging for morsels throughout the day and night.

Their diet primarily consists of:

• Detritus and uneaten food particles
• Aiptasia anemones (their claim to fame)
• Algae
• Dead or decaying organic matter
• Small invertebrates (possibly)

These shrimp are excellent at finding their own food, often needing little supplemental feeding.

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They use their sensitive antennae to detect food particles in the water and on surfaces. And use their small, specialized claws to help them pick at food sources with precision.

Peppermint shrimp don’t typically compete aggressively with other tank mates for food. However, they may compete with other bottom-dwelling scavengers like hermit crabs or snails.

In tanks with limited algae growth or detritus, you might need to occasionally offer sinking pellets or small pieces of fresh seafood to ensure they’re getting enough nutrition.

Generally reef-safe: In rare cases, peppermint shrimp might nip at coral polyps or soft corals, particularly if underfed. This behavior is uncommon but worth monitoring, especially in newer tank setups or if the shrimp appear stressed.

Using Peppermint Shrimp For Aiptasia Problems

You’ve probably heard that peppermint shrimp are the go-to solution for Aiptasia problems in reef tanks. But are they really the miracle workers some claim them to be? Let’s break it down.

Peppermint shrimp can indeed be effective Aiptasia eaters, but their performance is far from guaranteed.

Some reefers swear by them, as their shrimp pick away at Aiptasia colonies. Others find their peppermint shrimp completely ignore the anemones, preferring to scavenge for other things instead.

What’s behind this inconsistency? Only certain species, like Lysmata wurdemanni or L. boggessi are known to have a taste for Aiptasia. You might be out of luck if you’ve got a different “peppermint” species. These shrimp are opportunistic feeders. If there’s plenty of other food available, they may never bother with the Aiptasia at all.

One strategy to boost their effectiveness is isolating them with the Aiptasia in a quarantine tank. This limits their food options and increases their chances of developing a taste for the anemones. But in a full display tank with a buffet of other choices? All bets are off.

If they don’t get the job done, you might need to explore other options like chemical treatments or specialized predators like Berghia nudibranchs. Just remember, every tank is unique, and what works in one might not work in another.

The upside is that even if they don’t tackle your Aiptasia problem, peppermint shrimp are still valuable members of your cleanup crew. They’ll happily scavenge detritus and uneaten food, helping to keep your tank clean.

Tank Setup

Peppermint shrimp need plenty of live rock with nooks and crannies for hiding during the day. Having multiple hiding spots per shrimp will help reduce stress and territorial disputes. Small caves, overhangs, and dense coral arrangements work well.

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A few inches of sand or fine gravel substrate gives them additional foraging area, but they prefer the safety of your rock work.

Lighting isn’t important for the shrimp themselves as they are nocturnal, but moderate lighting supports the growth of beneficial algae they’ll graze on.

How many peppermint shrimp can you keep in a reef tank? For a 10-gallon tank, start with 2-3 shrimp. Add one shrimp for every additional 5 gallons of water.

Water Parameters

Peppermint shrimp need stable, well-maintained reef tank conditions. Here’s a table of ideal water parameters:

Parameter	Ideal Range
Temperature	72-82°F (22-28°C)
Salinity	1.023-1.025 sg
pH	8.1-8.4
Ammonia	0 ppm
Nitrite	0 ppm
Nitrate	<10 ppm
Calcium	400-450 ppm
Alkalinity	8-12 dKH
Magnesium	1250-1350 ppm

How often do peppermint shrimp molt? Every few weeks to months, depending on age and growth rate. Maintaining proper calcium and iodine levels will make the process easier for them.

Acclimation

Peppermint shrimp are sensitive to changes in water chemistry, so I recommend slow drip acclimation. Here’s how to do it:

1. Transfer the shrimp to a clean bucket or container.
2. Set up a slow drip from your tank to the container (2-4 drips per second).
3. Allow the drip to run for 1.5-2 hours, gradually filling the container.
4. Gently net the shrimp and place them in your tank.

If you can’t drip acclimate them, add small amounts of tank water to the bag every 5-10 minutes over an hour.

To reduce stress and prevent deaths during acclimation:

• Avoid sudden light changes. Keep the tank dimly lit during their introduction.
• Never use copper-based medications in tanks with peppermint shrimp.
• Acclimate during a quiet time when you can monitor the process closely.

A slow, careful acclimation process will significantly increase the chances of your peppermint shrimp adapting successfully to their new home.

Behavior And Tank Mates

Peppermint shrimp are mostly nocturnal, hiding during the day and emerging at night to scavenge. They’re generally peaceful but can be territorial with their own kind if overcrowded.

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These shrimp are curious and active foragers, constantly combing the tank for food. They’re not typically social with other species but may form loose groups with their own kind.

Suitable tank mates:

• Small, peaceful fish
• Other invertebrates
• Most corals and anemones

Species to avoid:

• Predatory fish
• Aggressive shrimp species (mantis shrimp)
• Some wrasses and triggerfish

Can peppermint shrimp live with cleaner shrimp? Yes, peppermint shrimp can usually coexist peacefully with cleaner shrimp like skunk cleaner shrimp. Make sure that your tank is large enough to accommodate multiple shrimp species and provide plenty of hiding spots for each.

Breeding And Reproduction

Peppermint shrimp are simultaneous hermaphrodites, capable of functioning as both male and female. While they can breed in home tanks, it’s pretty unlikely.

However, you might spot them carrying bluish eggs under their abdomen for about 10-12 days. The eggs turn silver just before hatching. Larvae emerge at night and are attracted to light.

These tiny larvae need specific care and food to survive. Most don’t make it in a typical reef setup.

If you’re determined to breed them, you’ll need a separate rearing tank with carefully controlled conditions. Feed the larvae specialized foods like rotifers and baby brine shrimp. Even then, success rates are low.

Don’t worry about peppermint shrimp overpopulating your tank. Their populations rarely become problematic in home aquariums due to the low survival rate of larvae. If you do end up with more than you want, local fish stores often welcome donations.

How do I tell if my peppermint shrimp are male or female? Peppermint shrimp are simultaneous hermaphrodites, possessing both male and female reproductive organs. This means you can’t visually distinguish between males and females, as each individual can function as both.

Peppermint Shrimp Tips

Keep a close eye on your peppermint shrimp’s health by watching for these signs:

• Color changes: Fading or loss of red stripes can indicate stress or poor water quality.
• Lethargy: Healthy shrimp are active, especially at night.
• Irregular molting: Difficulty shedding or frequent molting may signal nutritional issues.
• White spots or growths: Could be a sign of bacterial infection.

Can You Keep Peppermint Shrimp In A Reef Jar?

I can’t recommend keeping peppermint shrimp in a reef jar. Adding these colorful cleaners to a pico setup might be tempting, but it’s best to stick with a minimum 10-gallon tank for peppermint shrimp.

Reef jars rarely develop Aiptasia problems, negating one of the main benefits of keeping peppermint shrimp. Even if you have a small infestation, it’s easier to tackle it manually.