TWAInv11

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,

Bob Fenner

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Here's a pair of Stenopus hispidus under a rocky ledge/cleaning station. "Next customer, please", in the Bahamas.

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.

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.

Plagusia depressa. Both sides of the tropical Atlantic. To four inches across. This one facing up on a pier piling in Belize.

Banded Clinging Crab, Mithrax cinctimanus in residence in a Condylactis gigantea that its commensal with. Cozumel pix.

Mithrax forceps, Red-Ridged Clinging Crab. Family Majidae. Tropical west Atlantic. 1/2-1". Here clinging to a piling at night off Bonaire.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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".

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.

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.

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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