SeafanEmergencies

Shrimp

Peppermint shrimp

Lysmata wurdemanni (look-alike L. rathbunae and others)

Peppermint shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni)
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Group
Shrimp
Care level
Beginner
With corals
Reef safe with caution

What does the peppermint shrimp do in a reef tank?

Detritus; some individuals eat aiptasia, others ignore it

With corals: Mostly; some nip soft corals

How many should you keep?

No ratio given

One US gallon is 3.785 litres and one UK gallon is 4.546 litres, so a "per gallon" rule depends on whose gallon it means.

What can go wrong?

Look-alike species are sold under the same name; shy; may eat Berghia

Which tankmates are risky?

Fish

Fish that may eat or harass it.

Avoid together (7)

  • Royal dottybackRoyal dottyback eats ornamental shrimp such as the peppermint shrimp.
  • Neon dottybackNeon dottyback eats ornamental shrimp such as the peppermint shrimp.
  • Yellow coris wrasseYellow coris wrasse eats ornamental shrimp such as the peppermint shrimp.
  • Melanurus wrasseMelanurus wrasse eats ornamental shrimp such as the peppermint shrimp.
  • Flame hawkfishFlame hawkfish eats ornamental shrimp such as the peppermint shrimp.
  • Longnose hawkfishLongnose hawkfish eats ornamental shrimp such as the peppermint shrimp.
  • Falco hawkfishFalco hawkfish eats ornamental shrimp such as the peppermint shrimp.

Take care (8)

  • Yellow watchman gobyYellow watchman goby may eat very small shrimp; adult peppermint shrimps are usually safe.
  • Orange spotted gobyOrange spotted goby may eat very small shrimp; adult peppermint shrimps are usually safe.
  • Orchid dottybackOrchid dottyback may eat very small shrimp; adult peppermint shrimps are usually safe.
  • Magenta dottybackMagenta dottyback may eat very small shrimp; adult peppermint shrimps are usually safe.
  • Pyjama cardinalfishPyjama cardinalfish may eat very small shrimp; adult peppermint shrimps are usually safe.
  • Six line wrasseSix line wrasse may eat very small shrimp; adult peppermint shrimps are usually safe.
  • Leopard wrasseLeopard wrasse may eat very small shrimp; adult peppermint shrimps are usually safe.
  • Yellow assessorYellow assessor may eat very small shrimp; adult peppermint shrimps are usually safe.

Other invertebrates

Invertebrates it may harm, or that may harm it.

Avoid together (1)

These checks follow the reasons fish and invertebrates clash: same species or genus, similar shape, mouth size, temperament, food, burrows, tank size and the order they are added. Individual animals differ; every source agrees on that.

Sources

  1. Practical Fishkeeping (UK), essential cleaners for the reef tank (date not shown)Read 21 October 2026, read in full.
  2. Top Shelf Aquatics Berghia guideRead 21 October 2026, search summary only.

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