Let me be straight with you – the answer isn’t a simple yes or no. As someone who’s kept reef tanks for years, I’ve seen firsthand how peppermint shrimp can be both helpful cleaners and occasional coral munchers. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about these controversial little critters.
The Quick Answer
Peppermint shrimp (Lysmata boggessi) are generally considered reef-safe, but they can sometimes nibble on corals Their behavior varies between individual shrimp – some never touch corals while others develop a taste for them, especially when other food sources are limited
Why Your Peppermint Shrimp Might Be Snacking on Corals
I’ve noticed these common reasons why peppermint shrimp start picking at corals:
- They’re hungry! – When shrimp don’t get enough food, they’ll look for alternatives
- Stressed or molting – During molting periods, they’re more likely to nip at corals
- Individual preferences – Some shrimp just seem to enjoy coral tissue more than others
- Opportunistic feeding – They’ll eat damaged or dying coral tissue
- Territory marking – Sometimes they’ll pick at corals to claim space
Which Corals Are Most At Risk?
Listen up! If you’ve got these corals, you’ll want to watch your peppermint shrimp extra carefully:
High Risk Corals:
- LPS corals (especially torch, frogspawn, and hammer corals)
- Soft corals (leathers, Kenya trees)
- Zoanthids
- Mushroom corals
Lower Risk Corals:
- SPS corals
- Euphyllia
- Acanthastrea
- Most larger, hardy corals
How to Keep Peppermint Shrimp Without Coral Drama
Here’s what’s worked for me to keep the peace
-
Feed regularly – I target feed my shrimp with
- Mysis shrimp
- Cyclops
- Blanched spinach
-
Provide hiding spots
- Add PVC pipes
- Create rock caves
- Leave overhangs
-
Maintain proper stocking
- Keep 1-2 shrimp per 10 gallons
- Don’t overstock!
-
Watch water quality
- Regular water changes
- Stable parameters
- Good flow
What To Do If Your Shrimp Goes Rogue
Sometimes you’ll get a coral-munching troublemaker. Here’s how I deal with them:
Removal Methods:
- Use a bottle trap with mysis shrimp as bait
- Hunt at night with a red flashlight
- Place mesh screens over valuable corals temporarily
Alternative Cleanup Crew Options
If you’re worried about coral damage, try these instead:
- Berghia nudibranchs (for aptasia control)
- Filefish
- AiptasiaX chemical treatment
- Manual removal methods
My Personal Take
After keeping peppermint shrimp in multiple tanks, I’d say they’re worth trying – but start with just one or two. Watch them closely with your corals, especially during the first few weeks. If they behave, great! If not, there’s no shame in removing them.
Remember, every tank is different, and what works in my system might not work in yours. The key is observation and being ready to adapt if things aren’t working out.
Have you had experience with peppermint shrimp in your reef tank? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments below!
Disclaimer: This article is based on personal experience and research. Your mileage may vary with these fascinating but sometimes unpredictable creatures!
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Peppermint Shrimp, part of the family Lysmata, are fascinating and functional additions to saltwater aquariums, known for their attractive red and white striped patterns and invaluable role in maintaining reef cleanliness. Native to the tropical waters of the Western Atlantic and Caribbean, these hardy shrimp are often spotted scurrying through live rock and substrate, scavenging for leftover food and detritus. Their reputation as effective natural predators of nuisance Aiptasia anemones makes them a popular choice among reef keepers. Peaceful and relatively easy to care for, Peppermint Shrimp thrive in well-maintained aquariums with stable water parameters and plenty of hiding spots. Their active behavior and beneficial contributions to tank health make them both a practical and engaging addition to any reef community.
Peppermint Shrimp – Good or Bad guys?! (Lysmata wurdemanni)
FAQ
What shrimp eat coral?
Some aquarists swear their peppermint shrimp will go after soft corals from time to time, though, so keep that in mind if you grow valuable species.
Will peppermint shrimp eat my anemone?
What species of peppermint shrimp eat aiptasia?
The peppermint shrimp species, Lysmata wurdemanni and Lysmata boggessi, are known for eating Aiptasia anemones.
Are peppermint shrimp aggressive?
Peppermint shrimp are generally considered non-aggressive and peaceful additions to a reef aquarium. They are known for their ability to control Aiptasia anemones by eating them, and they pose minimal threat to other tank inhabitants.
Do Peppermints eat corals?
my cleaner shrimp i’ve had for a very long time has never bothered any corals unless he was really hungry then he might try to rip food out of the corals mouth. but these peppermints just eat away the flesh of the corals for no reason.
Are peppermint shrimp safe?
The Peppermint shrimp, Lysmata wurdemanni, is generally considered to be reef safe, which means that they are routinely compatible with the fish, corals, and other invertebrates kept in a community reef aquarium. They do pose some risk to LPS corals occasionally. Most clean-up crew members don’t hassle corals.
Do peppermint shrimp eat anemones?
I respectfully disagree; peppermint shrimp will eat corals and other desirable anemones. I had a peppermint strip all of the polyps off my pocillapora and devour a small bubble tip anemone before I was able to catch it and banish it to my sump.
Are peppermint shrimp good invertebrates?
Peppermint shrimp are good invertebrates to add to your tank for the following reasons: Peppermint shrimp won’t win a prize for the largest saltwater shrimp species. They aren’t even the flashiest invertebrate out there. But they’re nifty crustaceans that can pitch in as part of your clean-up crew.
Do camel shrimp eat coral?
My camel shrimp has not been eating my bleached zoas, or any coral for that matter. I will trade you!!!lol Peppermint shrimp do not eat coral. Maybe, but they sure can pick the heck out of healthy coral, anemones, and feather dusters.
Are peppermint shrimp a camel shrimp?
You can prevent this from happening by placing a physical barrier over the coral. It’s easy for anyone to get confused between a peppermint shrimp and a camel shrimp. That’s because a camel shrimp also has a white and red pattern, but theirs is slightly more erratic. A novice aquarist may not be able to tell the difference between the two.