Red-Speckled Snapping Shrimp
Alpheus species 10
Red Speckled Snapping Shrimp
Alpheus species 10
undescribed
Description
Carapace: White to pale brown with a varying degree of red lines and speckles. Usually with an obvious dark rectangular saddle when viewed from above. The saddle may be red or black. There are two diagonally oriented red patches on the side of the carapace, but in some individuals, these are barely visible.
The abdomen is pale grey with extensive red speckles and squiggles sometimes forming a series of delicate bands and open loops, one on each segment. May have a pale band on segments 1 and 4. From the side, there is a well-defined line of red spots, one on each segment.
The tail fan is pale with the telson and endopod outlined in red. There is a black spot on the distal exopod.
The rostrum is white, as are the antennae.
The pincers are white with three red patches. The pollex is pale, serrated laterally, and red on the inner aspect. Dactylus is pale with red on the inner aspect.
The chelate second legs are white with red spots on either side of the joints
The walking legs are pale brown with paler joints and a red spot above each joint.
Identifying Features
The best features are the red or black dorsal saddle and the line of red spots laterally.
Similar Shrimps
None
Nomenclature
No scientific description.
Redspotted Goby-shrimp, Kuiter and Debelius (2009)
Ecology
HABITAT
Preferred substrate fine sand with scattered seagrass
Depth range Moderately deep (20 to 25 metres, though occasionally found in shallower water (8m) in suitable substrate).
Proximity to reef Away from reef structures.
NATURAL HISTORY
This is an adaptable shrimp found over a range of depths, but usually fairly deep. It is found in fine to coarse sandy substrates, usually with an admixture of silt. They are often seen in association with shrimpgobies of the genus Vanderhorstia but partnerships are also formed with several other species.
The observation of a Giant Shrimpgoby, Amblyeleotris fontanesii, sharing a burrow with a Red-Speckled Shrimp is unusual. This was a juvenile Giant Shrimpgoby with a single shrimp. In the long run, this small shrimp would be hard-pressed to construct a burrow big enough for an adult Amblyeleotris fontanesii.
Although widespread, we have yet to find them in large numbers, just an odd individual here and there.
We have seen several occurrences of it partnering with the Hairfin goby, Yongeichthys nebulosus which is not considered a shrimpgoby. The association is not very tight as the goby appears to get bored easily and move off leaving the shrimp to fend for itself. Perhaps these active little shrimps are happy to have any goby keeping watch. They keep antennae contact during the process, but the Hairfin Gobies do not need the alliance. Other species of Yongeichthys are reported to have toxic skin and perhaps do not have a fear of predation.
Distribution
Published distribution:
Bali, Indonesia, Kuiter and Debelius (2009)
Our records:
Australia; Fitzroy Island, Low Isles.
Solomon Islands; Ghizo, Kolombangara Island.
Associated Goby species
Associated Shrimpgobies (Eleven species)
Usual associations
The principle association is with the genus Vanderhorstia.
Amblyeleotris diagonalis, Diagonal Shrimpgoby
Amblyeleotris gymnocephala, Mask Shrimpgoby
Tomiyamichthys lanceolatus, Lanceolate Shrimpgoby
Tomiyamichthys tanyspilus, Longspot Shrimpgoby
Vanderhorstia auronotata, Gold-Marked Shrimpgoby
Vanderhorstia belloides, Bella Shrimpgoby
Vanderhorstia cyanolineata, Blue Streak Shrimpgoby
Vanderhorstia dorsomacula, Dorsal Spot Shrimpgoby
Vanderhorstia phaeosticta, Yellowfoot Shrimpgoby
Unusual associations
Yongeichthys nebulosus, Hairfin Goby.
This goby is not usually associated with shrimps but we have commonly seen a rather loose association with this shrimp at Low Isles.
Amblyeleotris fontanesii, Giant Shrimpgoby
The observation of Amblyeleotris fontanesii sharing a burrow with a Red-Speckled Shrimp is unusual. This was a juvenile Shrimpgoby with a single shrimp. In the long run, this small shrimp would be hard put to construct a burrow big enough for a large Amblyeleotris fontanesii