WHATSTHATFISH
Crustaceans

Imperial Shrimp

Zenopontonia rex

Also known as: Anemone Shrimp, Carid Shrimp, Commensal Emperor Shrimp, Commensal Shrimp, Emperor Partner Shrimp, Emperor Shrimp, Imperator Commensal Shrimp, Imperator Shrimp, Imperial Cleaner Shrimp, Imperial Partner Shrimp

Adult
@fishx6 · Lembeth Resort, Indonesia · June 20061 / 4
01

Overview

Found living in pairs, in a symbiotic relationship, with sea cucumbers, Spanish Dancer Nudibranch, and sea stars, over coral and rocky reefs. Body red with white lines and purple tips to the claws.

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

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific
  • Country only · 4
LIVES IN

Found living in pairs, in a symbiotic relationship, with sea cucumbers, Spanish Dancer Nudibranch, and sea stars, over coral and rocky reefs.

04

Adult photos 4

06

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. genusZenopontonia
    7. speciesZenopontonia rex (Kemp, 1922)

    SourcesWoRMSWikipedia

    07

    More in the family

    Shrimps (Palaemonidae)