WHATSTHATFISH
Crustaceans

Anker's Whip Coral Shrimp

Pontonides ankeri

Also known as: Barred Wire Coral Shrimp, Commensal Crinoid Shrimp, Crinoid Shrimp, Spiderman Shrimp, Whip Coral Shrimp

Adult
@sjaeggi · Raja4Divers, Indonesia · November 20141 / 2
01

Overview

Found in the branches of black whip corals blending in and matching the branch colors. Highly variable in colour matching the coral they hide in!

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,.

02

How to identify

Pattern
stripes

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific
  • Country only · 2
LIVES IN

Found in the branches of black whip corals blending in and matching the branch colors.

04

Adult photos 2

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumArthropoda
    3. classMalacostraca
    4. orderDecapoda
    5. familyPalaemonidae
    6. genusPontonides
    7. speciesPontonides ankeri Marin, 2007

    SourcesWoRMS

    06

    More in the family

    Shrimps (Palaemonidae)