Banded Cleaner Shrimp

Stenopus hispidus, also known as the Banded Cleaner Shrimp, is a decapod crustacean that belongs to the infraorder Stenopodidea. It has a widespread distribution in tropical and some temperate regions, being found in the western Atlantic Ocean from Canada to 🇧🇷 Brazil, as well as in 🇦🇺 Australia and 🇳🇿 New Zealand.

This species of shrimp has a total length of up to 60 millimeters (2.4 inches), and its distinct coloration is striking. It has a transparent body, but its carapace, abdomen, and the third pereiopod are banded in red and white. The antennae and other pereiopods are white in color. The abdomen, carapace, and third pereiopods are adorned with spines. An interesting characteristic of Stenopus hispidus is its ability to detect individuals of its own species, which is uncommon among invertebrates and is believed to be facilitated by chemical signals.

The Banded Cleaner Shrimp prefers to reside below the intertidal zone on coral reefs, at depths of up to 210 meters (690 feet). It serves as a cleaner shrimp by using its long, white antennae to attract passing fish and then removing parasites, fungi, and damaged tissue from their bodies using its three pairs of claws. Female Stenopus hispidus are typically larger than males, and they establish territories that are approximately 1-2 meters in diameter.

Overall, the Banded Cleaner Shrimp is a captivating and aesthetically pleasing species that plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of coral reef ecosystems. With its cleaning behavior and symbiotic relationships with other marine organisms, it is truly a remarkable creature that showcases the intricacies of nature.