Anker’s Whip Coral Shrimp

The Anker’s Whip Coral Shrimp, scientifically known as Pontonides ankeri, is a small shrimp species that exclusively lives on whip corals in the world's oceans. These shrimp are known as commensal, which means they share a living space with whip corals without affecting them positively or negatively. Whip corals, part of the Antipatharia family, are a type of black coral named for their long, whip-like branches that can reach several meters (or feet) in length.

Unlike many other corals, whip corals do not rely on photosynthesis for energy. Instead, they are carnivorous, using their stinging tentacles to catch small creatures like zooplankton. These corals typically grow at depths of 30 to 1000 meters (about 100 to 3300 feet), often forming thick 'forests' on rocky ocean floors or the walls of underwater canyons.

While Anker’s Whip Coral Shrimp has a unique relationship with whip corals, it is not the only shrimp to make these corals their home. The Zanzibar Whip Coral Shrimp, or Dasycaris zanzibarica, also inhabits whip corals. Despite resembling the Anker’s Shrimp, the Zanzibar Shrimp can be told apart by a distinctive pointed projection on its carapace, right behind its head. Both species of shrimp usually live alone on a single whip coral and do not share their host with other shrimp.

Anker’s Whip Coral Shrimp is quite small, with females reaching up to 1.5 cm (0.6 inches) in size, generally larger than the males. Typically found in pairs, they feed on plankton and other tiny organisms carried by ocean currents in the Indo-Pacific area. Underwater photographers and videographers often look for these shrimp in areas abundant with whip corals.