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Shrimp on Anemone - Commensal?

Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 12:19 pm
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?

Re: Shrimp on Anemone - Commensal?

Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 12:49 pm
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!

Re: Shrimp on Anemone - Commensal?

Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 1:39 pm
by dtodd
Oops. Hadn't successfully uploaded the photo.
Does anyone know which shrimp this is?

Re: Shrimp on Anemone - Commensal?

Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 1:40 pm
by dtodd
Thanks Yelloweye.

Re: Shrimp on Anemone - Commensal?

Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2015 6:42 pm
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.

Re: Shrimp on Anemone - Commensal?

Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2015 9:38 am
by dtodd
Thanks Greg!