Broken-back Shrimps
The shrimps shown here are either commensal and well hidden, or cleaner shrimps that present themselves to fish for their services.
The sponge shrimp Gelastocaris is perfectly camoflaged on the sponge it lives on, whatever the colour or pattern. Hippolyte species with their colouring and patterning are well camoflaged in their soft coral hosts. Some Latreutes species live on very stongly stinging hosts which probably helps to protect them.
Thor shrimps are often seen in small family groups close to stinging anenomes. They are fairly obvious due to their colouration and characteristic abdomen movements.
Lysmata shrimps are active cleaners, occuring often in large groups on the surface of corals or around the edges of small caves. These cleaning stations are advertised by the shrimps bright colours and waving antennae.
Saron / Marbled Shrimps
Saron (Marbled) shrimps belong to the Broken-back Shrimps. They are often only seen at night, and then only if red light is used. Sometimes they occur in large numbers where extensive, compact Acropora colonies grow. Some, such as Saron neglectus are day active. All except the largest specimens are very shy, disappearing into the reef at the slightest disturbance. Saron Shrimp taxonomy is still poorly understood.
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Broken-back Shrimps
Broken-back Shrimps
The shrimps shown here are either commensal and well hidden, or cleaner shrimps that present themselves to fish for their services.
The sponge shrimp Gelastocaris is perfectly camoflaged on the sponge it lives on, whatever the colour or pattern. Hippolyte species with their colouring and patterning are well camoflaged in their soft coral hosts. Some Latreutes species live on very stongly stinging hosts which probably helps to protect them.
Thor shrimps are often seen in small family groups close to stinging anenomes. They are fairly obvious due to their colouration and characteristic abdomen movements.
Lysmata shrimps are active cleaners, occuring often in large groups on the surface of corals or around the edges of small caves. These cleaning stations are advertised by the shrimps bright colours and waving antennae.
Saron Shrimps
Saron Shrimps
Saron (Marbled) shrimps belong to the Broken-back Shrimps. They are often only seen at night, and then only if red light is used. Sometimes they occur in large numbers where extensive, compact Acropora colonies grow. Some, such as Saron neglectus are day active. All except the largest specimens are very shy, disappearing into the reef at the slightest disturbance. Saron Shrimp taxonomy is still poorly understood.
