peppermint shrimp destroying more than aptasia.

[hockeyreefer35]

hey guys ive been in the hobby for almost a year now. one thing I haven't been successful at keeping is anemones I love the look of bta and rock flowers but they only last about a month before they curl up and never to be seen again. I also had good success keeping euphyllia until I added peppermint shrimp to the mix to get rid of a very small aptasia issue. is there any chance the reason I cant keep these is because of the shrimp. if so what are some ways to remove them from the system.


thanks.

 

[Sierra_Bravo]

First, make sure they are peppermints and not camelbacks. Camelbacks will eat coral and are sometimes sold as peppermint shrimp. Search up some images but here is a link to an article:

https://www.thespruce.com/camelback-shrimps-profile-2925564

My peppermints were messing with my torch coral for a brief time (but it was under stress). I solved the issue by direct feeding the shrimp pieces of scallop, clam, or shrimp once or twice a week along with the brittle and serpent stars. If you need to remove them a simple bottle trap works well.

As far as BTA's and rock nems, I'd look at water parameter and stability issues rather than the shrimp as potential issues.

 

[Labridaedicted]

Just pulled a pair out of my display after they took a taste for my trach and zoas. They live in the fuge now. Peppermint shrimp are not obligate aiptasia feeders and therefore will pick at other things if aiptasia is no longer available. Some may not, so I know it's a point of debate on here, but I always found their listing as reef safe to be somewhat debateable.

The take home is, yes, some individuals will pick or eat other corals. So go into adding them knowing that this could be the case and be prepared to remove them if necessary.

 

[Todd31]

Peppermints killed 3 of my rock nems recently, so I've been bottle trapping them out. I think I have 1 last elusive one to get.

 

[tastyfish]

There are a few species of shrimp either sold as, or mis-identified as "Peppermint shrimp"

Lysmata wurdemanni is the true peppermint, with lysmata boggessi being a good substitute, although not as determined as L. wurdemanni.

The other one to watch out for (and not to buy) is Lysmata seticaudata, which is not a peppermint shrimp at all, and prefers to eat anything but aipitasia.

The pics below will help you ID the right ones.

 

[tastyfish]

There are a few species of shrimp either sold as, or mis-identified as "Peppermint shrimp"

Lysmata wurdemanni is the true peppermint, with lysmata boggessi being a good substitute, although not as determined as L. wurdemanni.

The other one to watch out for (and not to buy) is Lysmata seticaudata, which is not a peppermint shrimp at all, and prefers to eat anything but aipitasia.

The pics below will help you ID the right ones.

I should update this a little as Lysmata wurdemanni has now been split into 5 confirmed species: L. wurdemanni, L. ankeri, L. Bahia, L. boggessii and L. pederseni... Someone when decided to go for further DNA reclassification and they think there are 9 more... lol

I can confirm that L boggessi, L wurdemanni and L pederseni definitely eat Aiptasia though..

 

[Uncle99]

There is a definite chance your pep is the culprit.
My confirmed list of things a pep has destroyed include:
Aptasia
BTA
Acans
Scollly
Did not touch my RFA’s

I have added peps to the will not keep list, there are better ways to clear Aptasia.
Also on this list is crabs. Will not keep.

Easy to remove.
Bottle trap.

 

[2Sunny]

I should update this a little as Lysmata wurdemanni has now been split into 5 confirmed species: L. wurdemanni, L. ankeri, L. Bahia, L. boggessii and L. pederseni... Someone when decided to go for further DNA reclassification and they think there are 9 more... lol

I can confirm that L boggessi, L wurdemanni and L pederseni definitely eat Aiptasia though..

Thank you ever so much for the clarification. Sadly people do not read. If I may be so bold as to suggest a separate thread outlining the differences in peps and which are Reef Safe and which are not. Perhaps Rev would even consider making it a sticky.

Thanks again.