Peppermint shrimp
Lysmata wurdemanni · Lysmatidae
Also known as Caribbean cleaner shrimp
Beginner
Cheap, nocturnal, and the most reliable biological control for Aiptasia anemones.
- Minimum tank
- 40 L
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 5 cm
- Group size
- 3+
Will it fit your tank?
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Sign in to check my tanksReef & marine husbandry
- Specific gravity
- 1.024–1.026
- Reef safety
- Reef safe
- With corals
- Occasionally picks at zoanthids or LPS when underfed.
- With inverts
- Peaceful.
- Minimum in a mixed reef
- 40 L
- Minimum fish-only (FOWLR)
- 40 L
- Aggression
- None.
- Feeding
- Scavenges continuously.
Care requirements
- Minimum tank volume
- 40 L
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Hardness
- 8–12 dGH
- Lifespan
- 1–3 years
- Diet
- Omnivore/scavenger — detritus, Aiptasia, mysis, pellets.
- Care level
- Beginner
Origin & habitat
- Native region
- Western Atlantic
- Water type
- Saltwater
- Biotope
- Rocky reef crevices
- Natural conditions
- Stable salinity, plenty of rock, no copper.
Behaviour & stocking
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Minimum group
- 3 fish
- Swims
- Bottom
- Good tank mates
- ClownfishGobiesCardinalfish
- Avoid
- HawkfishPuffersWrasses
Breeding & difficulty
- Breeding difficulty
- Intermediate
- Sexing
- Hermaphrodite.
- Notes
- Breeds readily in reef tanks; larvae are eaten by fish.
- Common ailments
- Moult failureCopper poisoning
