Description
Also known as Carid Shrimp, Cleaner Shrimp, Commensal Shrimp, Imperial Shrimp, Starfish Shrimp.
Found living in a symbiotic relationship with Sea Stars, hence the name, over coral and rocky reefs!
They feed on algae, parasites and plankton.
Length - 1.5cm
Depth - 1-25m
Widespread Indo-Pacific
This shrimp is commensal with various Sea Stars among them are:-
Cushion Sea Star - Culcita novaeguineae http://www.whatsthatfish.com/fish/cushion-sea-star/777
Blue Sea Star - Linckia laevigata - http://www.whatsthatfish.com/fish/blue-sea-star/321
Crown-of-Thorns Sea Star - Acanthaster planci - http://www.whatsthatfish.com/fish/crownofthorns-sea-star/323
Often if a divers hand is near to a cleaner shrimps, they will hop on board and perform a manicure!
Carid shrimps occur worldwide in almost every habitat, from sea water to fresh water and can be found all over the reef.
They are generally respected by other creatures, often sharing burrows and holes and working as housekeepers.
They will wave their antennae around to attract customers, they then proceed to clean outside and inside the creatures mouths, gills etc,. Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periclimenes_soror
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