Tiger pistol shrimp

The tiger pistol shrimp (Alpheus bellulus) belongs to the family of snapping shrimp.

Tiger pistol shrimp
A. bellulus and Cryptocentrus cinctus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Family: Alpheidae
Genus: Alpheus
Species:
A. bellulus
Binomial name
Alpheus bellulus
Miya & Miyake, 1969

Description

The tiger pistol shrimp can grow to a size up to 4 to 5 cm, not including antennae. The body is stout and opaque. The background color of the body is yellowish white or plain yellow. The patterns drawn on the cephalothorax, abdomen and tail are irregular but symmetric, their coloration varies from light brown, brownish purple to brownish orange. The legs are banded with the same colors as the body and are covered with short bristles. The antennae are red.[1] The chelipeds are also banded, with the right being bigger and modified into a powerful weapon. By closing at extreme speed, the cheliped expels an air bubble at more than 100 kilometres per hour (62 mph) towards the prey. This action is accompanied with a loud bang. This powerful sonic weapon creates a violent shock wave which can kill or knock out prey, which could be another shrimp or a small fish passing close to the tiger pistol shrimp.

Distribution

The tiger pistol shrimp can be found in tropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific area.[2]

Habitat

The tiger pistol shrimp dwells in sandy, muddy and detrital substratum in shallow waters until 20m.

Feeding

The tiger pistol shrimp is a carnivore, preying primarily on crustaceans and small fish.

Behavior

The tiger pistol shrimp lives in burrows in symbiosis with certain goby species such as Cryptocentrus cinctus, Amblyeleotris guttata or Stonogobiops yasha. The shrimp digs and maintains the burrows which are the dens for both animals, while the goby acts as a watchman, warning of danger the shrimp cannot see due to poor eyesight.[3]

In aquaria

The tiger pistol shrimp is one of the most popular pistol shrimp in the marine aquarium hobby as it has a peaceful temperament, is inexpensive and does not require complicated care.

Original publication

Miya, Y. & S. Miyake, 1969. Description of Alpheus bellulus sp. nov. associated with gobies from Japan (Crustacea, Decapoda, Alpheidae).— Publications from the Seto Marine Biological Laboratory 16: 307-314.[1]

References
  1. DESCRIPTION OF ALPHEUS BELLULUS SP. NOV. ASSOCIATED WITH GOBIES FROM JAPAN (CRUSTACEA, DECAPODA, ALPHEIDAE)" Miya, Yasuhiko và Miyake, Sadayoshi. PUBLICATIONS OF THE SETO MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY. 31/1/1969 doi:10.5134/175556
  2. SOUS LES MERS : Alpheus bellulus - crevette pistolet tigre
  3. Vilcinskas, Andreas.La vie sous-marine des tropiques. Vigot,2002. ISBN 2711415252


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