Hingebeak Shrimp

Rhynchocinetes durbanensis, also known as the camel shrimp or hingebeak prawn, is a small marine creature found in the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific region. Typically reaching a maximum length of 4 cm (1.6 inches), this shrimp is notable for its striking appearance, which includes large black eyes and a translucent body adorned with red and white stripes. It also features numerous white spots and a distinctive Y-shaped white mark on the front of its carapace.

One of the shrimp's unique characteristics is that males and females exhibit different physical traits, with dominant males possessing larger first pair of claws, known as chelipeds. They are commonly found living in groups, hiding in the hollows and crevices of ocean floors at depths ranging from 5 to 35 meters (16 to 115 feet).

The reproductive process of this species shows some intriguing behaviors. Females are capable of carrying between 267 and 1764 eggs, and the hatching time is significantly influenced by water temperature; eggs take around 9 days to hatch in waters at 29.2 °C (84.6 °F), but this extends to 18 days in temperatures below 22.0 °C (71.6 °F). The mating ritual involves courtship through senses of smell and touch, typically resulting in an indirect transfer of sperm.

Rhynchocinetes durbanensis was first scientifically described by Isabella Gordon in 1936. Over time, it has been commonly mistaken for its close relatives, Rhynchocinetes uritai and Rhynchocinetes brucei. Members of this group, the order Decapoda, are generally gonochoric, meaning individuals are distinctly male or female.