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Related FAQs: TWA Invertebrates, Fishes of the Tropical West
Atlantic, Tropical West Atlantic 2,
Related Articles: Algae, Vascular Plants, Introduction to Fishwatcher's Guide
Series Pieces/Sections, Lachnolaimus
maxiumus/Hogfish, Hogfishes of the Genus Bodianus,
Invertebrates, Algae and Vascular Plants of The Tropical West Atlantic: Bahamas to Brazil,
Part 11
To: Part 1,
Part 2, Part 3,
Part 4, Part 5,
Part 6, Part 7,
Part 8, Part 9,
Part 10, Part 12,
Part 13, Part 14,
Part 15,
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By Bob Fenner
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Crustaceans |
Shrimp:
| Lysmata grabhami (Gordon 1935), the Atlantic
White-Striped Cleaner Shrimp. Tropical East and West Atlantic coasts.
Generally gets along with all fishes and other crustaceans. Best kept in
pairs or small groups (no sexual distinguishing marks externally). A hardy
Cleaner species that accepts most all foods. Conds: temp. 18-28 C. |
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| Lysmata wurdemanni (Gibbes 1850), Peppermint Shrimp,
Caribbean Cleaner Shrimp. Tropical West Atlantic. Lives singly or in
groups. Gets along with all aquarium species. Commercially produced. A
reclusive, sometimes misidentified species (there are other shrimp from
the area that are similar) used in the fight to limit Aiptasia Anemones in
aquariums. |
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| Periclimenes pedersoni Chace 1958, the Caribbean
Anemone Shrimp, Pederson's Shrimp. Should always be kept with Anemone hosts.
A great cleaner of fishes, but ships poorly. Here in a Bartholomea
anemone and on a sponge in the
Bahamas |
 
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| The Spotted Cleaner Shrimp, Periclimenes yucantanicus
in its host anemone, Condylactis gigantea off of Cozumel. 3/4-1 in.
overall. Also found in association with other tropical West Atlantic
anemones. Cozumel and aquarium images. |
 
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| Rhynchocinetes rigens, the Red Night Shrimp. 1 1/4-
2" length. Nocturnal... here tooling around at night in front of
Plaza Las Glorias, Cozumel, another burrowing in the sand in Bonaire at
night. |
 
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| Here's a pair of
Stenopus hispidus under a rocky
ledge/cleaning station. "Next customer, please", in the
Bahamas. |
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| Thor amboinensis (de Man 1888), the Squat Anemone or Sexy
Shrimp (in reference to its usually-raised tail).
1/4-3/4" long. Common in all tropical seas. Found in
association with Giant, Sun, Elegant Anemones. Here is one in a Condylactis
gigantea in Cozumel, Mexico. |
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Crabs:
| Glyptoxanthus erosus, the Eroded Mud Crab. 1 1/4 to 2
in. Shell has eroded appearance. Tips of walking legs yellow in color.
Nocturnal. Picture at night off of Cozumel. |
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| Plagusia depressa. Both sides of the tropical
Atlantic. To four inches across. This one facing up on a pier piling in
Belize. |
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| Banded Clinging Crab, Mithrax cinctimanus in
residence in a Condylactis gigantea
that its commensal with. Cozumel pix. |
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| Mithrax forceps, Red-Ridged Clinging Crab. Family
Majidae. Tropical west Atlantic. 1/2-1". Here clinging to a piling at night
off Bonaire. |
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| Mithrax sculptus, the Green/Emerald Crab. Tropical
West Atlantic. A noted eater of algae (even Valonia), but can turn
into a fish eater... some references state to 2.5 others to a maximum of
four inches carapace width. Now in its own genus Mithraculus.
Family Majidae. |
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| Stenorhynchus seticornis (Herbst 1788), the Caribbean
Arrow Crab. Not to be trusted with small to medium fish tank-mates (may
spear with rostrum, otherwise consume). Safe with hardy native corals and
anemones, larger fishes. A small individual in Belize and one at
wholesalers shown. |
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Spiny Lobsters:
| Panulirus argus, the Caribbean Spiny Lobster. Common
in the tropical West Atlantic. To two feet maximum length. One out during
the day (protected and very BIG) in Cozumel and another at night in the Bahamas. |
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| Panulirus guttatus, the Spotted Spiny Lobster. Most
are 5-8 inches in length. Grow to 18 in. This one walking about at night
(typical) off of Cozumel. |
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Slipper Lobsters:
| Parribacus antarcticus, the Sculptured Slipper
Lobster. Circumtropical but mainly caught out of the tropical West
Atlantic for aquarium use. Nocturnal, and wary of humans. Capable of great
bursts of strength, speed in swimming backward. One out at night in
St. Lucia in the Caribbean, another off of Hawai'i's
Big Island. |
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Hermit Crabs:
| Calcinus tibicen, the Orangeclaw Hermit Crab, Family
Diogenidae. Orange antennae and eyestalks. Eye tips white, eyes with black
pupils. Unequal size claws. 1/2 to 1". |
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| Paguristes cadenati Forest 1954, the Scarlet Reef
Hermit. Tropical West Atlantic. To one inch in length. Red carapace and
legs, eyes green, on yellow stalks. Aquarium and Cozumel photo. |
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| Phimochirus holthuisi, the Red-striped Hermit Crab.
Tropical West Atlantic. To one inch in length. One cheliped enlarged
(usually right). Eyestalks white with dark band, eyes grayish blue. |
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To: Part 1, Part 2,
Part 3, Part 4,
Part 5, Part 6,
Part 7, Part 8,
Part 9, Part 10,
Part 12, Part 13,
Part 14, Part 15,
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