About the ORA Monaco Peppermint Shrimp

(LYSMATA SETICAUDATA)

Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Safe: Yes
Diet: Carnivore
Minimum Tank Size: 10 Gallons
Max Size: 2 inches

The Peppermint Shrimp is a very popular shrimp because of its desire to eat nuisance glass anemones (Aiptasia). The body of the Peppermint shrimp is fairly transparent with red stripes that run parallel along their body. These Shrimp are very easy to care for and prefer to be kept in groups. They should be fed a carnivorous diet daily, and will not harm other shrimp, corals, or invertebrates.

The head of Shrimp is connected to the thorax and covered by a shell called carapace. The antennae of Shrimp are normally long and thin and serve the Shrimp as extended eyes. Shrimp have highly developed abdomens which allows for quick movement. In order for Shrimp to grow they need to shed their exoskeleton, a process called “molting”, which allows them to remove their restricting shell and begin a new one. Often times in the home aquarium Shrimp will leave this translucent shell in full view so it can serve as a distraction while the Shrimp finds a hiding place and allows its new shell to harden.