Northwest Dive Club

Tonight at Redondo, I came across two fairly large shrimp (2 - 2 1/2 inches long) that were together. Both were this odd, dark green color, and they were both hanging around under a brick. I got two photos, neither of which is very good, but this one is at least interpretable:



Is this an odd-colored coon-striped, or something entirely other?

The dive was fabulous. We saw several lumpies, four snailfish, a tiny tiny red octo in a snail shell, a white-spotted greenling, a great sculpin, the biggest snake prickleback I've ever seen, and hundreds of juvenile crabs of all kinds. Not bad for a dive with an average depth of 17 feet!

I keep tellin people deep isn't what it's all about. Some of my best sightings are in 20' or less. that's why I never surface swim.

It's a stout shrimp, Heptacarpus brevirostris. They are quite variable in color (dark green to nearly black, red, sometimes with a white saddle or racing stripe) and the largest hippolytid you're likely to see in shallow water. The name "brevirostris" refers to their very short rostrum (think 'brevity'). The males develop very large third maxillipeds used for fighting with each other - those are the first big appendages that you see on this guy, taken last week at Harper: You can also zoom in and see the short rostrum.

Thank you, Greg! One of the striking things about these two was how big they were, and also the very interesting color. Wish I had gotten a photo as clear as yours!

That makes three new-to-me species to me from last night's dive. What fun!

Very cool. I think I saw one of those last week at Redondo too (same depth), and it was bright aqua colored. I was quite surprised!

Is this guy a stout shrimp too?

yep, that's the 'white saddle' marking I mentioned above

Thanks!