Peppermint Shrimp Good or Bad ???

[saltwatersucker]

Hey guys just wondering if these guys are good for a reef tank or not I have tried to do some research and I can't seem to find a definitive yes or no. So hopefully some of you have some actual experience with them that you would like to share.
Thanks in advance.
Jerry

 

[Justin74]

Thats because there is no definitive answer. Depends on the shrimps demeanor and the critters and corals you chose for it's companions. As many positives like "great experience, hasnt harmed a thing..." you'll hear " Dude! It' s attacking my polyps and corals!" Yes they can be great for aiding with pests like aiptasia and scavanging, but also are opportunistic and may prove too stressfull for some things like decorative anenome, various LPS, mushrooms, and other various polyps by stealing food from there grasps and/or gullet. Always a tit for tat isnt there somewhere hunh?

-Justin

 

[Reefugee]

Peppermint shrimps are elusive. They hide a lot, and the only time you might catch a glimps of one in a tank is at night. Peppermint shrimps are known to eat aptasia - although that is a hit an miss. In my 120G, I had some aptasia growing, and two peppermint shrimps cleaned it within a few days. IMO - peppermint shrimps are usually good for the tank (especially ones that eat aptasia).

Just a word of warning - don't confuse peppermint shrimp with camel shrimps. They look very similiar.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=803629

 

[yoboyjdizz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8812421#post8812421 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reefugee


Just a word of warning - don't confuse peppermint shrimp with camel shrimps. They look very similiar.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=803629

Thats probably why you can't find a yes or no because so many people get those shrimps confused with each other.. Alot of lfs do as well and hence people think they have peppermint shrimp that eat corals are usually wrong.. Peppermint shrimp are reef friendly but with any thing we put in our tank there is always that one who is different then the norm. Camel shrimps are the ones you should be worried about.

 

[Justin74]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8812752#post8812752 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yoboyjdizz
hence people think they have peppermint shrimp that eat corals are usually wrong.. Peppermint shrimp are reef friendly but with any thing we put in our tank there is always that one who is different then the norm. Camel shrimps are the ones you should be worried about.

Honestly I hear more about how people shouldnt confuse the two than those that actually do. But to say peppermint are reef friendly is pretty broad and laxed IMO, Ive personally gone through 3 batches of them over the course 4 years in two different tanks and havent come across a friendly bunch yet. At first ya, but once they get comfortable keep your eyes on em Im tellin ya But it depends again on what you keep for tankmates as well. Theyve taken down a florida anenome of mine and almost got my RBTA till I got a maroon clown to host and protect it.
If you got some active fish there gonna hang low, but if not they get very brave.

-Justin

 

[pepe.king.prawn]

I don't think they're as beneficial as they're touted to be. I would go with cleaner shrimp. Atleast they're out and about more frequently.

 

[Reefugee]

No question that cleaner shrimps are very beneficial. However, the peppermint shrimp has kept the aptasia population in my tank down to zero. I still see an occasional aptasia in my megaflow - but none of them are on my rock.

This would be my recommendation: Only keep a peppermint shrimp if you have aptasia. Otherwise - a cleaner shrimp would be a better choice.

 

[miracles38]

I have lots of peppermint shrimp and they have been great. Eat the aptasia, and I have never had any problems.

 

[Reefugee]

Justin,

In this hobby - the only comments you can make are broad statements. There are always exceptions to the rule. For example, everyone will tell you the a 2.5" GB maroon clown are mean fish. Yet - I have a 2.5" GB maroon that is very timid. Even my chromis pick on it.

So in my opinion, peppermint shrimp are generally reef safe - but there are always exception to the generalization.

Minh

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8812962#post8812962 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Justin74
But to say peppermint are reef friendly is pretty broad and laxed IMO, Ive personally gone through 3 batches of them over the course 4 years in two different tanks and havent come across a friendly bunch yet.

 

[Justin74]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8814742#post8814742 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reefugee

So in my opinion, peppermint shrimp are generally reef safe -
Minh

Not in my opnion!

-Justin

 

[tiburone9162003]

im gonna have to get one peppermint cuz i have some aiptasia..i could use joes juice too right to kill it?

 

[Reefugee]

JJ is fine, but the problem with them is that you can't reach all aptasia with JJ. My peppermint shrimps were able to take care of the aptasia where I could not reach.

 

[tiburone9162003]

coo..i still have some problems with oen of my rocks,there its some aiptasia and i just the juice it works good on little ones,but this big it keeps coming back lol

 

[saltykelly]

candy stripers

candy stripers

I have a pepperment shrimp I have had for 3 years and he is the best thing in my tank. Keeps aptasia away, and doesn't rob food from my corals like my coral banded did. Comes out pretty often too, but thats my story only. One person, with one tank, with one shrimp.