Bruce Davidson's Mystery Shrimp

[John_Brandt]

What a beauty!

I think it's safe to say this is Periclimenes. A number of species have variable coloration depending on the host organism. This one looks like its mother was a panther grouper. Neville Coleman needs to see this shrimp.

 

[CAPT PETE]

I believe it's a commensal shrimp. They feed on mucous that healthy clams slough off when feeding.

 

[AF Founder]

I believe it's a commensal shrimp. They feed on mucous that healthy clams slough off when feeding.

I suspect you're correct.

 

[spawner]

Guys,

It's Anschistus sp. or Paranschistus sp. members of both genera are known to be associated with Tridacna

ID by Arthur Anker

Andy

 

[John_Brandt]

Andy,

How can we find information on those two genera? Google finds zero hits on either name. That's very odd. Could the spelling be incorrect?

 

[spawner]

John,
opps, your right I think the spelling is Anchistus sp.

andy

 

[NKT]

I've owned a clam with one of these shrimp inside. Definitely very cool creatures, as you can see it picking away cleaning the gills of the clam. I did notice that the clam would "gape" a bit wider than usual with the shrimp inside. It eventually left the clam and managed to get itself killed. The clam lived fine for a long time after that.

picture of it still exists here: (over 2 yrs old!)
http://www.pbase.com/image/3168790