Peppermint shrimp
A group of visually similar shrimp in the genus Lysmata, popular for scavenging and cleaning, with some species used for Aiptasia control.
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Peppermint shrimp is a common name used in the marine aquarium trade to describe several species of visually similar shrimp in the genus Lysmata. These shrimp are popular for their scavenging and cleaning behaviour, and some are used in pest control — especially for managing outbreaks of Aiptasia anemones in reef aquaria. However, the name does not refer to a single species and has been widely misapplied within the aquarium hobby and trade.
Scientific classification
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumArthropoda
- CladePancrustacea
- ClassMalacostraca
- OrderDecapoda
- SuborderPleocyemata
- InfraorderCaridea
- FamilyLysmatidae
- GenusLysmata
- SpeciesLysmata wurdemanni
Named by (Gibbes, 1850)
Close relatives
Other species of Lysmata with a Codexery entry.
- Fire shrimp Lysmata debelius
- Pacific cleaner shrimp Lysmata amboinensis
- Cleaner shrimp Lysmata grabhami
Sources: Wikipedia taxobox: Lysmata wurdemanni (CC BY-SA 4.0) · order, family and genus agree with WoRMS AphiaID 158365 (CC BY 4.0)
Where the peppermint shrimp has been recorded
Each dot is a place where the species has been observed and reported (7,814 records, half-degree grid) — not a modelled range. 9 inland records left out (institution coordinates).
Map: drawn by Codexery. Data: GBIF occurrence search (records CC0 / CC BY) · Natural Earth basemap (public domain) · place coordinates: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Quick Facts
- Scientific name
- Lysmata wurdemanni
- Family
- Lysmatidae
Facts from the source article.
Background
The following species are most commonly referred to as peppermint shrimp: Lysmata boggessi – Considered the 'true peppermint shrimp' in the aquarium trade. Native to the Gulf of Mexico and western Atlantic, it is the only species in this group consistently documented to consume Aiptasia anemones in both scientific studies and aquarium observations. Lysmata wurdemanni – Historically referred to as the peppermint shrimp, but now known to comprise a complex of cryptic species.
Many individuals formerly sold under this name were actually misidentified members of other species. It is not reliably associated with Aiptasia control in reef systems. Lysmata rathbunae – Occasionally misidentified as a peppermint shrimp, particularly in mixed shipments. It is not known to consume Aiptasia and is not typically used for pest control.
Lysmata ankeri and Lysmata bahia – Less common in the trade but visually similar to other peppermint shrimp. Their predatory behaviour toward Aiptasia is inconsistent or undocumented.
More in Shrimp, Crabs & Urchins
Elsewhere in Reef Aquarium Species
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Lysmata wurdemanni (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Classification: the source article's taxobox; order, family and genus checked against WoRMS, the World Register of Marine Species (CC BY 4.0).
- Occurrence records: GBIF (CC0 / CC BY). Basemap: Natural Earth (public domain).
- Word definitions: the Codexery glossary, each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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