Peppermint Shrimp

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Easy   • Temperament: Peaceful   • Maximum Size: 2"
• Diet: Carnivore   • Aquarium Level: Substrate & Rocks   • Minimum Tank Size: 12 gallons
 • Reef Compatible: Yes   • Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
• Supplements: None   • Coloration: Red, White, Pink
• Origin: Caribbean • Family: Hippolytidae   • Species: Shrimp

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The Peppermint Shrimp, or as it is also commonly known as in the aquarium hobby as the Veined Shrimp, or Caribbean Cleaner Shrimp, is part of the "cleaner" shrimp family, but is considered to be more of a scavenger. The body of the Peppermint Shrimp is mostly red with yellowish white accents in vertical stripes and other varying patterns.

Peppermint Shrimp is sometimes confused with its Pacific cousin, Rhynchocinetes durbanensis, which has a pointed nose and inter-spaced white stripes over its body. In general the Peppermint Shrimp is a very peaceful species that will scavenge the rock work and substrate within the aquarium looking for leftover meaty foods to consume. This species is an excellent cleaner for both community and reef aquariums.

The Peppermint Shrimp is usually found living in caves and crevices of the reef, sometimes in the core of the pipe sponges or other similar areas. The Peppermint Shrimp is very sociable and will live peacefully with almost all reef inhabitants. The Peppermint Shrimp will generally spend its time savaging the reef for any meaty foods that it can find.

While it is in the cleaner shrimp family, the Peppermint Shrimp is more of a scavenger than a parasite cleaner, and is not known for cleaning parasites off of fish. The Peppermint Shrimp will live with others of its own kind or pretty much any species of invertebrate, coral or fish as it is an extremely peaceful species. It will not tolerate copper or high levels of nitrates in the aquarium, and will also require iodine for proper molting of its carapace.

In addition to what it obtains from scavenging, the diet of the Peppermint Shrimp should consist of any type of meaty prepared foods, such as, flake, frozen, freeze-dried or fresh chopped fish or mussels. Supplemental feedings will only be necessary if there is not enough leftover foods for the Peppermint Shrimp to scavenge for within the aquarium.