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Peppermint Shrimp – Lysmata Wurdemanni

Common names: Peppermint Shrimp

Scientific name: Lysmata Wurdemanni

Average Adult Size: 3inches / 8cm

Reef Safe: Yes

Recommended min. aquarium capacity: 10 gallons / 45 litres

Compatibility: Community shrimp, but could be seen as food by large fish.

Temp: 72 – 78 Deg F / 22 – 26Deg C

Water chemistry: ph 8.1-8.4

Salinity: 1.023-1.025

Feeding: Lysmata Wurdemanni’s primary diet will be the natural growth of biofilm and algae present in the aquarium. A wide variety of dried leaves and branded shrimp foods will also be accepted, as well as various fruit and veg. They will also eat standard fish flakes if kept with fish.

This shrimp is often kept in the home aquarium to tackle nuisance Aiptasia although it will also happily feed on detritus, uneaten food, and decomposing organic material.

Sexing: These shrimp are hermaphrodite. Interestingly they are born as male but after the process of molting become female for a period of time were breeding is possible.

Breeding: Breeding these shrimp is possible in the aquarium but requires the fish keeper to separate them to a different tank.

Additional Information: One of the most interesting shrimps you can keep in the hobby. This Saltwater only shrimp is a great addition to a reef biotope and not only does a great job cleaning the aquarium but it’s attractive red colour makes it a beautiful specimen indeed. Peppermint Shrimp are hermaphrodite which means each shrimp can be male or female, although they are born as males but turn to females when molting for a short time.