Quick Stats
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Color Form: Red
Diet: Carnivore
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 2"
Origin: Caribbean
Family: Hippolytidae
Supplements: Calcium, Magnesium, Iodine, Trace Elements
Overview
The Seticaudata shrimp is best known for its natural ability to manage nuisance Aiptasia, or glass anemones. Keep in mind that some individual are better at managing aiptasia while others may not be interested in aiptasia at all. Though considered part of the "cleaner" grouping of shrimp, Lysmata is more of a scavenger. The Seticaudata picks its way around your aquarium and live rock to consume detritus, uneaten food, and decomposing organic material. This ornamental member of the Hippolytidae family is brightly colored with a clear or creamy white body striped with several thin and distinct longitudinal red bands.
The seticaudata does best in home aquariums with live rock, ample places to hide, as well as open areas to scavenge.
Seticaudata are very social and peaceful towards most reef inhabitants. Like other invertebrates, the Peppermint Shrimp cannot tolerate copper-based medications or high nitrate levels. It also requires supplemental iodine to encourage proper molting of its carapace. In addition to what it obtains from scavenging, the diet of the Shrimp should consist of most types of prepared foods and the occasional pieces of fresh fish.
The shrimp has been successfully bred by commercial fish farms, and can be bred in the home aquarium. Rearing the larvae requires specialized feeds and care outside of the display aquarium.