Reticulated Hingebeak Shrimp

The Reticulated Hingebeak Shrimp, also known as the Green-eye Dancing Shrimp (Cinetorhynchus reticulatus), is a fascinating crustacean found in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region, including the 🌊 Red Sea. These shrimp are benthic animals, meaning they live on the sea floor, typically at depths ranging from 6 to 30 meters (about 20 to 98 feet). They can grow to a maximum length of about 6 centimeters (approximately 2.4 inches).

Characterized by their striking appearance, these shrimp have a vibrant red body adorned with round white spots, and their rostrum (the forward extension of the carapace) is white with red bands. Like other members of the order Decapoda, they are mostly gonochoric, which means individuals are distinctly male or female. Their mating behavior includes a unique precopulatory courtship ritual, utilizing both olfactory (sense of smell) and tactile (touch) cues, generally resulting in indirect sperm transfer.