Peppermint Shrimp ( Lysmata wurdemanni and Lysmata rathbunae ) are active parasite cleaners as well as scavengers of meaty foods. They are nearly transparent with red or pink vein-like patterns on their body. These shrimp are well-known and popular for controlling the nuisance anemone known as Aiptasia . These shrimp will typically hunt out and eat these anemones and can help in keeping their populations under control. Although Lysmata wurdemanni is the most common Peppermint Shrimp found in the Caribbean, Lysmata rathbunae is an almost-identical species that is sometimes collected and sold as or with L. wurdemanni . Both have essentially the same requirements and behavior and can be kept together in groups. “Cleaner” shrimp get their name from their habit of picking external parasites, dead scales and other irritants off of the surface of other fish. Some fish will actively seek out a cleaner shrimp to clean them while others can become irritates or stressed by the shrimp’s “good intentions”. Cleaner shrimp will also accept other foods like flakes, pellets, algaes, and frozen meaty foods as well as whatever they scavenge from their tank (or tankmates). Shrimp molt their hard outer skeleton to grow and it is not unusuall to find an empty molt in an aquarium with shrimp. Shrimp also can molt under environmental stress such as water changes, rapid changes in conditions or during shipping. Always acclimate shrimp slowly to avoid sudden changes in their environment. Crustaceans like shrimp need well-balanced minerals in their environment to form their shells, particularly iodine and calcium and low nitrate levels. Regular water changes with a quality salt mix are generally enough to replenish any minerals lost to normal environmental sources in the aquarium but supplements can be added to heavily stocked aquariums. This is a Restricted item and is not covered by our Arrive Alive 5 Day Guarantee. 208748

These tiny and amusing creatures are great for planted tanks. They will delicately remove and eat algae from your plant’s fragile leaves. They also clean up the surface of the gravel and are generally a lot of fun to watch. They are virtually harmless to fish, and only larger fish may attempt to nibble at them, so be careful with the sort of tankmates that these little guys will be coexisting with. They will pick at leftover food as well as algae. Keep up with your water quality as these shrimp can be sensitive to water conditions. This is a Restricted item and is not covered by our Arrive Alive 5 Day Guarantee.

Harlequin Shrimp ( Hymenocera picta ) are attractive little shrimp whose unique body shape resembles full orchid blossoms. They have frilly white bodies with pink and purple spots. The claws and eyes appear thin and flattened. Hymenocera elegans is very similar to Hymenocera picta and is sometimes considered a regional variation rather than a separate species since the two species are found in separate locations. This shrimp is highly specialized in its care and diet. They are reef safe and invert safe, except around starfish. Their diet consist exclusively of sea stars. They will feed on any sea stars in their aquarium and should be fed a healthy sea star at least once a month. They will eat the small Asterina stars that reproduce in some home aquariums, but otherwise stars like Chocolate Chip Stars, Bahama Stars or other species should be purchased for them to feed on. Harlequin Shrimp will usually star at the ends of the star’s legs and work towards the center so the starfish remains alive as long as possible. While these animals are very cryptic and can hide well, they should not be kept with larger potential predators. They are sensitive to changes in water chemistry, temperature and to low oxygen environments (including stagnant systems). Acclimate to the new system carefully to avoid shocking the shrimp. They can live alone but are almost always found in pairs in the wild. Some Hymenocera sp. shrimp are also known to occassionally feed on urchins as well as shrimp. This is a Restricted item and is not covered by our Arrive Alive 5 Day Guarantee.