California Peppermint Shrimp
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
This reclusive shrimp requires a cool-water tank. Scott W. Michael
Overview
Unscrupulous collectors are known to sell this cool-water species to the aquarium trade, where hobbyists buy them not knowing that they cannot tolerate tropical water temperatures for extended periods.
This is a species to avoid for a number of reasons: It is nocturnal and reclusive—it is often never seen after it is added to a tank.
It tends to eat small polyps; may attack small soft coral polyps, such as Clavularia, zoanthids, and both small- and large-polyped stony corals. Sometimes this predation is significant.
It will not eat Aiptasia anemones, a major reason marine aquarists seek out Peppermint Shrimps in the first place.
It has a pale white, yellow, or amber body with numerous longitudinal stripes running from the front of the body to the end of the abdomen.
For Aiptasia control, see the Peppermint Shrimp, Lysmata wurdemanni.
Family: Hippolytidae
Other common name(s):
- "Peppermint Shrimp"
- Catalina Peppermint Shrimp
- Lined Shrimp
- Rock Shrimp
Native range:
Maximum length: 5 cm (2 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 38 L (10 gal)
Lighting: Normal reef lighting.
Water: Marine 10 °C (50 °F) - 20 °C (68 °F)
General swimming level: Bottom.
Feeding
Efficient scavenger; will eat most aquarium foods.
Aquarium Compatibility
May take food from corals, sea anemones, and other slower creatures and may have a deleterious effect on them.
Special Care
Suitable for cool water aquariums only. The only special care Lysmata californica needs is a cool-water tank: 50 to 68°F (10 to 20°C). Although sometimes collected and sold without proper labeling, this is not a tropical animal and will not survive long in tanks kept at normal reef temperatures.