Saltwatershrimps. They live among the tentacles of several species of sea anemones. They sway their body and wave their antennae in order to attract fish from which they eat dead tissue, algae and parasites.

- Sun Anemone Shrimp Periclimenes rathbunae

Size: 1.8 to 2.5 cm.
Colour:  It has a transparent body patterned with brown and white saddle shaped markings. The chelae and legs are boldly striped in red, purple and white. There are two pairs of long white antennae banded in black.
Shape: Shrimplike. Breeding takes place in the summer and females have been seen brooding eggs under their abdomens in the months of July and August.

Inhabits reefs. The spotted cleaner shrimp lives in close association with a sea anemones.  It lives among the tentacles and up to six individual shrimps have been seen on one sea anemone. It swishes its antennae around in the water to attract the attention of passing reef fish.

BES-eilanden: St. Eustatius.

[Marion Haarsma, apr. 2015]

- Humann, P., & DeLoach, N. (2002). Reef Creature Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas (p. 420). Jacksonville (FL): New World Publications.

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