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The peppermint shrimp is great at keeping this pest under control in the tank.Īlthough not every peppermint shrimp will exhibit this behavior, it is considered to be a cleaner fish because it will feed on external parasites on fish. Aiptasia are rapidly-producing predatory sea animals that can overrun your tank quickly, and a saltwater aquarium is a perfect breeding ground for it. It will scavenge the aquarium, checking out the live rock and any cracks or crevices for Aiptasia or waste or algae. The peppermint shrimp is known as a sweeper shrimp because it will swim around and clean your aquarium.
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The average lifespan of the peppermint shrimp is about two years with proper management. It also has the long, thin antennae associated with most shrimp species.Īs a general rule, the peppermint shrimp grows to be about 1.50 to 1.75 inches.
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It has a shell with broad transverse and oblique V-shaped bands. Over its lifetime, it can change colors based on the color light it is exposed to. Under stress, it will lose their red color and become completely transparent. It has a semi-transparent appearance with longitudinal and transverse red stripes on the body. The peppermint shrimp is also known as candy cane shrimp, Caribbean shrimp, veined shrimp, or Caribbean cleaner shrimp. It may also be found on blades of seagrass or within tube sponges. The tropical waters in the West Atlantic to the Caribbean are home to this small and brightly-colored invertebrate, where it can be found chilling around rocks and coral formations. In its natural habitat, it can be found 3-90 feet below sea level. The peppermint shrimp, or Lysmata wurdemanni, is a saltwater reef shrimp that adds a burst of color to your tank with their pink or off-white color and red stripes.
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