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banded_coral_shrimp_103K

The colorful Banded Coral Shrimp is a common sight on nearly every Indo-Pacific ocean reef. Also known as a Cleaner Shrimp or Barber-Pole Shrimp, it often feeds on the parasites that cooperative fish or eels allow it to pick off their bodies. I have witnessed moray eels being cleaned by these fascinating shrimp, an amazing sight since these inch-long animals are certainly no match for the predatory jaws and big appetite of a large eel. The shrimp actually crawl all over the animals they are cleaning, using their numerous sets of claws and chelipeds to dine on a meal of parasites. To the fish or eel, the shrimp is performing the service of parasite removal, and in turn the shrimp gets a free meal. Some groups of these shrimp are known to have "cleaning stations" or designated places on the reef where several shrimp climb on a fish that actually seeks out their services.

About this image

Identification: Stenopus hispidus (redbanded coral shrimp, 'opae-huna)
Location: Luzon Island, Philippines
Contributors: Jeffrey N. Jeffords
photographer copyright holder identification
Subjects: Subject Live Animal; Type Photo; Anatomy coloration/patterning disruptive coloration (spots/stripes); Anatomy coloration/patterning cryptic

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To cite this page: Jeffords, J. 2004. "banded_coral_shrimp_103K.jpg" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed {%B %d, %Y} at https://animaldiversity.org/collections/contributors/jeffrey_jeffords/misc.inverts/banded_coral_shrimp_103K/

Last updated: 2004-35-14 / Generated: 2025-09-15 02:01