Banded Coral Shrimp
Stenopus hispidus
Harlequin shrimp
Hymenocera picta
About
The harlequin shrimp is a small, boldly coloured reef shrimp of the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans, usually seen living in pairs. It grows up to 5 cm long.
Also known as: eastern harlequin shrimp, hymenocera picta, hymenocera picta dana, 1852, western harlequin shrimp
- Length
- 5 cm
- Depth
- up to 20 m
How to tell it apart
It is sometimes split into two near-identical species. This form, from the central and eastern Pacific, has deep pinkish-purple spots edged in yellow; a very similar shrimp from the Indian Ocean and western Pacific has brownish spots edged in blue instead.
Appearance
This shrimp has a pair of large, flattened, paddle-like claws and thin, flattened eyes. Its body is cream or white, marked with bold spots that vary in colour across its range. Two petal-shaped antennules on its head help it smell out prey. It has two walking legs on each side, and males are slightly smaller than females.
Did you know?
This shrimp preys almost only on starfish, including the coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish, and can kill one within a few days by attacking it while it is still alive.
Log it in Into the Blue
Describe what you saw and we name it, then keep every species you find in your Oceandex.
