Do fish ever get itchy?
In today’s #WildlifeWednesday, let us learn more about one of the most strikingly elegant shrimps of the marine environment, the banded coral shrimp (Stenopus hispidus). It is one of the three known groups of shrimps that are linked with cleaning fishes.
Its spinous body and pincers are marked by bright red and white bands and bluish-white legs, and antennae that are twice as much longer than the length of its body! It prefers to live in overhangs or cave-like shelters, rock crevices, or submerged wheel tires made into artificial reefs.
While remaining hidden in their lair, the banded coral shrimp swing their long white antennae along with the sea’s current, signaling its readiness to help the fishes clean their bodies. Fishes remain stationary in this “cleaning station” while the shrimp picks up and eat their parasites and other unwanted particles on their body, gills, or on any parts. After “cleaning”, the fish then swims off feeling “refreshed”.
Although there are no known natural predators of this shrimp, it is threatened by man’s activities. Bio-ecological research should be conducted on coral-banded shrimp to prevent its unsustainable capturing or overfishing for the aquarium trade.
It is amazing to know that each species has its role to play in the web of underwater life!
Text by the NMP Zoology Division
Video clip from Getty Images
