Peppermint shrimp
- Thread starter Lcombs
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Billldg
My Gem Tang Is Watching You
Unfortunately, it his hit or miss with peppermint shrimp eating aptasia. I am guessing though, they may be like file fish, once they get a taste for it then they go to work. I have only had luck with Berghia nudis.
((FORDTECH))
2500 Club Member
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/dealing-with-aiptasia.716789/page-3
It varies for many reasons and things. Check out this thread a lot of discussion about It here.
It varies for many reasons and things. Check out this thread a lot of discussion about It here.
It could be that you don't have the correct "peppermint shrimp". Lysmata wurdemanni (A) is the one you want for aptasia apparently.
(A) Lysmata wurdemanni
(B) Lysmata rathbunae
(C) Lysmata ankeri
(D) Lysmata boggessi
(E) Lysmata pederseni
(F) Lysmata bahia
I’ve never seen such a nice comparison graphic before.
Me personally, I’ve added them to my tank as one of the first livestock additions and I’ve never seen aptasia get out of control in any of my systems.
I think that’s part of the key - deal with aptasia before you even see it.
Lots to unpack here...
First, not all "peppermints" are great at eating Aips. The ones from the Florida Keys (L. Wurdemanni) are the best, by far. It is hard to know that you got this kind unless you order direct from a Keys Diver - ReefTopia.com is a good one that I use a lot. Most LFS and other places have no idea where their supplier/wholesaler got them.
Second, they will not often go after the huge ones since they can get eaten by them. You still need to kill these back by hand with some kalkwasser or your tool of choice. They will eat the smaller aips or the ones in the rocks first and not venture out.
If you get small ones from the supplier, then raise them up in your fuge for a month, or so. They will readily eat flake or pellets and grow fast. They need iodine to molt, so make sure that you change your water. They live about three years, so you will need to replenish your supply every once in a while.
First, not all "peppermints" are great at eating Aips. The ones from the Florida Keys (L. Wurdemanni) are the best, by far. It is hard to know that you got this kind unless you order direct from a Keys Diver - ReefTopia.com is a good one that I use a lot. Most LFS and other places have no idea where their supplier/wholesaler got them.
Second, they will not often go after the huge ones since they can get eaten by them. You still need to kill these back by hand with some kalkwasser or your tool of choice. They will eat the smaller aips or the ones in the rocks first and not venture out.
If you get small ones from the supplier, then raise them up in your fuge for a month, or so. They will readily eat flake or pellets and grow fast. They need iodine to molt, so make sure that you change your water. They live about three years, so you will need to replenish your supply every once in a while.
Oh, if you want them to live, then they need fed. They cannot just live off of coral poo and stuff. The can sometimes go after coral if they are starving, but I have never found them want to eat coral - we would likely eat coral too rather than die, so I cannot blame them.
I have 5 peppermint shrimp in a 45 gallon with several coral, 2 clowns and a small yellow tang. I added them due to aptasia...they've gone great. Here is a pic, you can see in the bottom left (aptasia) and the Peppermint up on the kenya tree. This aptasia has been there for a week and I don't expect it to be there much longer.
The aptasia seems more clever than most as he pulls back when they get close to him.
Good luck!
The aptasia seems more clever than most as he pulls back when they get close to him.
Good luck!
It could be that you don't have the correct "peppermint shrimp". Lysmata wurdemanni (A) is the one you want for aptasia apparently.
(A) Lysmata wurdemanni
(B) Lysmata rathbunae
(C) Lysmata ankeri
(D) Lysmata boggessi
(E) Lysmata pederseni
(F) Lysmata bahia
This is a great chart. Very helpful.
Melanie Fish
Valuable Member
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2018
- Messages
- 1,586
- Reaction score
- 1,837
I use them and they wipe aiptasia out quick for me. Make sure you have the correct type and don't over feed.
I too will say they work for the smaller aiptasia. I have never seen a peppermint eat anything. The only time I see my peppermints is if they get into my overflow or i catch them coming out from under the rocks at lights out.
