Comanthus Crinoid Shrimp

The Cundefinedthus Crinoid Shrimp (Pontoniopsis cundefinedthi), also known as the Dark Striped Crinoid Shrimp, is a tiny crustacean reaching a maximum size of just 7 millimeters (0.7 centimeters or about 0.28 inches). This shrimp lives in close association with crinoids of the genus Cundefinedthus, particularly the species Tropiometra carinata. Found in tropical marine environments, the shrimp resides at depths of 4 to 25 meters (approximately 13 to 82 feet) throughout the Indo-West Pacific region. This includes areas like the Coral Sea, the Great Barrier Reef along Queensland, 🇦🇺 Australia, and in diverse locations from 🇯🇵 Japan to the 🌊 Red Sea.

The shrimp is characterized by two dark stripes running along its body, which is typically translucent and sometimes marked with vibrant colors or bands. These patterns serve as effective camouflage, allowing the shrimp to blend seamlessly among the feather star’s waving arms and avoid detection by predators. The coloration of Pontoniopsis cundefinedthi often mirrors that of its crinoid host, making it a master of disguise in its coral reef and marine habitat.

In terms of lifestyle, the shrimp maintains a commensal relationship with feather stars, meaning it benefits by receiving protection and feeding opportunities from organic particles the feather star captures, while the feather star is unaffected by its presence. The shrimp primarily scavenges on the bits of organic debris or plankton caught by the feather star's feeding structures.

Pontoniopsis cundefinedthi can be found in various marine locations, including the Ashmore and Cartier Islands, the Coral Sea, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, the Lembeh Strait, 🇲🇭 Marshall Islands, and beyond. Its distribution encompasses a wide range of countries and regions, such as 🇫🇯 Fiji, the 🇵🇭 Philippines, Papua 🇵🇬 New Guinea, the 🇸🇨 Seychelles, Tanzania, and the Tasman Sea, making it a truly widespread and interesting species of the undefinedic realm.