If you own a tank with corals such as blastos, torches, or chalices, or anemones such as the black widow, you'll be limited to only one reef-safe species, the peppermint shrimp Lysmata wurdemanni. These peppermint shrimp come from the Florida Keys and the Gulf of Mexico and have been scientifically studied for their Aiptasia consumption. If you're experiencing an Aiptasia outbreak, and you own a tank that does not contain any anemones or corals, your best bet is going with any of the following peppermint shrimp species. In the United States, these shrimp are typically sold for $8-12 dollars per shrimp.Ĭamel shrimp on the other hand tend to be a bit pricier, going for about $15 for a single shrimp. Hobbyists looking to purchase the more affordable option should look to purchase the Peppermint shrimp. Peppermint shrimp are carnivorous invertebrates and will consume prepared foods such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, krill, and clams.Īim to feed your peppermint shrimp at least 1-2 times per day. Avoid species that consume invertebrates, such as the Yellow Coris Wrasse. Peppermint shrimp also have a peaceful temperament, and will get along with a wide variety of other tank mates, including fish such as clownfish, and the yellow watchman goby. Peppermint shrimp are nocturnal, and will be most active at night, but aren't as reclusive as the similar-looking camel shrimp. While they tend to be a bit shy when first introduced into an aquarium, over time, they'll become more confident and move about the aquarium. When provided a well-balanced diet, peppermint shrimp will grow to reach about 2 inches in length. Peppermint shrimp are small and tend to be about half an inch larger than their similar-looking camel shrimp counterparts. There are dozens of different types of peppermint shrimp species, and while there are some subtle differences in the richness of their red coloration, all will have translucent bodies. Peppermint shrimp share a similar candy-cane appearance as the camel shrimp, and feature translucent bodies with red stripes However, peppermint shrimp under the Lysmata genus do not have the brightly colored white stripes seen in camel shrimp. Lysmata wurdemanni, Lysmata ankeri, Lysmata boggessi, and Lysmata rafa are known to eat Aiptasia, and Lysmata wurdemanni is the only species of the four that has a reputation for being reef safe. Peppermint shrimp are usually wanted for their Aiptasia-eating abilities, but hobbyists should be aware that only a few peppermint shrimp species are known to readily consume Aiptaisa. These shrimp may frequently be mislabeled as Camel shrimp, which isn't surprising as their appearances are quite similar. Peppermint Shrimp (scientific name: Lysmata wurdemanni) are native to the Caribbean, and the United States's eastern coastline, stretching as far north as the state of New York and as far south as the state of Florida. Providing your camel shrimp with a nutrient-rich and well-balanced diet will help them reach their full life expectancy, which is about 3 years. Many hobbyists may choose to only keep camel shrimp in their sumps.Ĭamel shrimp are omnivorous, and will readily consume brine shrimp, plankton, and flake food. They prefer to be out of the spotlight, which is expected since this mimics the behavior seen in their native habitat.Ĭamel shrimp are not reef-safe, so if you're considering adding one of these shrimps to a reef tank, you should consider other invertebrates. Males will typically have larger claws than their female counterparts.Ĭamel shrimp are quite shy, and due to them being nocturnal, you'll rarely see them moving around your aquarium. An upturned rostrum extends in front of their black eyes, which are surrounded by antennas, which are utilized for their chemical receptors to locate food sources.Ĭamel shrimp are a relatively small shrimp species, only growing to be about 1.5 inches in length. Camel shrimp have intricate color patterns, consisting of thin red and white dotted, circular, and rounded lines that cover the shrimp's body and extend onto their legs. The unique appearance of Camel Shrimp is what often lands them on a saltwater aquarium hobbyist's radar.
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