Black Crinoid Pistol Shrimp
Synalpheus stimpsonii
These black and white shrimp are widespread in the Indo-West Pacific, and are found living among the arms of feather stars (crinoids). The colour of the stripes generally depends on their host with the ones pictured being collected from a black host.
Morphology
Key morphological characters of this genus include asymmetrical claws, with one massive claw with a locking mechanism enabling them to quickly close with a loud snapping noise. The eyes are protected by an extension of the carapace that covers the eyes.
Behaviour
These shrimp are probably feeding on the small food particles trapped in the arms of their host. They are protected from predators by their camouflaging colours which match their hosts. The shrimp are normally found in mating pairs and will defend the host from invaders using their large "pistol" claw. This claw produces a very loud snapping noise reaching over 200 decibels. The shockwave the snapping claw creates is also supposed to be able to stun other animals.
Method of reproduction
Potentially monogamous
Habitat
Marine
Found living on feather stars
Distribution
Indo-West Pacific
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Subclass: | Eumalacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
| Infraorder: | Caridea |
| Superfamily: | Alpheoidea |
| Family: | Alpheidae |
| Genus: | Synalpheus |
| Species: | stimpsonii |
| Name Published Year: | 1888 |
|---|---|
| Rank: | species |
| Scientific Name Authorship: | de Man |
| Commercial Impact: | None |
| Conservation Assessment: | Least Concern |
Cite this page
Western Australian Museum Collections https://museum.wa.gov.au/online-collections/names/synalpheus-stimpsonii
Accessed 16 Sep 2023
Rights
We support the open release of data and information about our collections.
Text content on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Image content on this page is copyright WA Museum.