Peppermint Shrimp

ID points

• Fine red stripes on a translucent body, like a peppermint sweet
• Antennae long, thin and clear, almost invisible
• Comes out only at night, hiding in crevices by day

Basics

Family

Lysmatidae

Length

3–5 cm

Depth

1-30 m

Regions

Caribbean & W. Atlantic

Distribution

Reefs of the Caribbean

Habitat

Caribbean reef crevices

Diet

Detritus and young anemones

Easily confused with

Cleaner ShrimpA white stripe down the middle of the back, bright red on either sideBanded Coral ShrimpAlternating red and white bands cover the claws and the bodyArrow CrabCarapace a sharp triangle, with a long spiny snout

Fun fact

Its red and white stripes look just like a stick of peppermint. Active at night, it is best known for clearing the dreaded glass anemones, Aiptasia, out of reef tanks.