Shrimp on Anemone - Commensal?

Fish & Invertebrate sightings and descriptions, hosted by resident NWDC ID expert Janna Nichols (nwscubamom).
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dtodd
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Shrimp on Anemone - Commensal?

Post by dtodd »

Saw this Shrimp on the Day Rose anemone at Three Tree a few weeks back. First it was under the tentacles but then it moved up on top.
Wondering if anyone has ever seen this before? Is this common behavior? Greg Jensen?
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YellowEye
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Re: Shrimp on Anemone - Commensal?

Post by YellowEye »

I forget what they're called, but yes they are. Here's a pic of one I took at three tree


Always a nice find!
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dtodd
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Re: Shrimp on Anemone - Commensal?

Post by dtodd »

Oops. Hadn't successfully uploaded the photo.
Does anyone know which shrimp this is?
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Sand Rose +Shrimp.jpg
dtodd
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Re: Shrimp on Anemone - Commensal?

Post by dtodd »

Thanks Yelloweye.
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Greg Jensen
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Re: Shrimp on Anemone - Commensal?

Post by Greg Jensen »

It's a Spirontocaris lamellicornis- I've seen them hanging out under the tentacle canopy of several species of anemones, but hadn't seen one in the tentacles or on top before. Yelloweye's picture is of Spirontocaris snyderi, which is more common on anemones in Puget Sound. Both often wander away from their hosts after dark, but I don't know if they go back 'home' afterwards, or just shack up with any convenient host.
dtodd
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Re: Shrimp on Anemone - Commensal?

Post by dtodd »

Thanks Greg!
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