Anker’s Whip Coral Shrimp

The Anker’s Whip Coral Shrimp (Pontonides ankeri) is a diminutive shrimp species that exclusively inhabits whip coral species. These intriguing organisms are categorized as commensal shrimp, signifying that they maintain a symbiotic relationship with whip corals without imparting either harm or benefit. This association is primarily one of convenience. Whip corals, belonging to the family Antipatharia, are a form of black coral found in the world's oceans. Their name derives from their elongated, whip-like branches, which can extend several meters or feet in length.

In contrast to most corals that depend on photosynthesis for energy, whip corals are carnivorous, using their stinging tentacles to capture small organisms such as zooplankton. These corals typically thrive at depths ranging from 30 to 1000 meters, often forming dense 'forests' on rocky substrates or the walls of underwater canyons.

While the Anker’s Whip Coral Shrimp maintains a distinct association with these corals, it is not singular in this preference. The Zanzibar Whip Coral Shrimp (Dasycaris zanzibarica), which bears a resemblance to the Anker’s Whip Coral Shrimp, also resides on these black corals. The Zanzibar Whip Coral Shrimp is notably distinguishable from its counterpart by a distinctive pointed projection on top of its carapace, located just behind its head. Both shrimp species are typically found individually on a single whip coral and do not share hosts.

The Anker’s Whip Coral Shrimp is characterized by its relatively small size, with females (approximately 1.5 cm or 0.6 inches) being larger than males. They typically form pairs and subsist on plankton and other small organisms suspended in the ocean currents of the Indo-Pacific region. Underwater videographers and photographers often seek these shrimp in locations where whip corals are abundantly concentrated.