Stenopus hispidus | |
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S. hispidus from Batu Moncho, Indonesia | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Malacostraca |
Order: | Decapoda |
Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
Family: | Stenopodidae |
Genus: | Stenopus |
Species: | S. hispidus
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Binomial name | |
Stenopus hispidus |
Stenopus hispidus is a shrimp-like decapod crustacean belonging to the infraorder Stenopodidea. Common names include coral banded shrimp and banded cleaner shrimp. [2]
Stenopus hispidus has a pan-tropical distribution, [3] extending into some temperate areas. It is found in the western Atlantic Ocean from Canada to Brazil, [4] including the Gulf of Mexico. [3] In Australia, it is found as far south as Sydney and it also occurs around New Zealand. [2]
Stenopus hispidus reaches a total length of 60 millimetres (2.4 in), [2] and has striking colouration. The ground colour is transparent, [5] but the carapace, abdomen and the large third pereiopod are all banded red and white. [2] The antennae and other pereiopods are white. [2] The abdomen, carapace and third pereiopods are covered in spines. [5]
Stenopus hispidus has the ability to detect individuals of its species. This trait is uncommon in invertebrates and is most likely explained through chemical signals. [6]
Stenopus hispidus lives below the intertidal zone, at depth of up to 210 metres (690 ft), [2] on coral reefs. [5] It is a cleaner shrimp, and advertises to passing fish by slowly waving its long, white antennae. [5] [7] S. hispidus uses its three pairs of claws to remove parasites, fungi and damaged tissue from the fish. [7] Stenopus hispidus is monogamous. [8] S. hispidus females are typically larger than the males. [9] They occupy a territory that is 1–2 meters in diameter. [10]