Red Snapping Shrimp (Alpheus Armatus)

Also known as Alpheid Shrimp, Brown Pistol Shrimp, Brown Snapping Shrimp, Caribbean Pistol Shrimp, Caribbean Scarlet Shrimp, Commensal Shrimp, Curly-Que Pistol Shrimp, Pistol Shrimp, Red Pistol Shrimp, Snapping Shrimp

Description

Also known as Alpheid Shrimp, Brown Pistol Shrimp, Brown Snapping Shrimp, Caribbean Pistol Shrimp, Caribbean Scarlet Shrimp, Commensal Shrimp, Curly-Que Pistol Shrimp, Pistol Shrimp, Red Pistol Shrimp, Snapping Shrimp.

Found living and hiding, with their host corkscrew anemone - Bartholomea annulata, over shallow, coral reefs.
They feed nocturnally on tiny invertebrates and zooplankton.
Length - 4cm
Depth - 0-2m
Widespread Western Atlantic, Caribbean

This shrimp is difficult to distinguish underwater between Alpheus immoculatus, Alpheus polystictus, Alpheus roquensis so this is just a tentative ID!

Snapping Shrimps usually share their holes with various Gobies. While the shrimps dig out their holes the gobies stand guard, as the shrimps vision is poor they usually keep one antennae in contact with their goby partner.
Snapping Shrimps have a large claw, which they are able to snap, giving a load cracking noise and at the same time this produces a large jet of water, used in defence to either deter or to knock out their prey. Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpheus_armatus

0 comments

Leave a comment

Known Sightings / Photograph Locations

Share this: