Gnathophyllum americanum is not found exclusively around anemones; sometimes we see it associated with large sea cucumbers instead. But frequently a group of the shrimp will be found under or around the anemone Stichodactyla haddoni. We call these bumblebee shrimp; although they usually walk around, they can also swim a bit when disturbed and their color and manner of swimming makes them look kind of like a little bumblebee. The black and white striped ones seem to be most common.
The shrimp also occasionally comes in a yellow form.
Other shrimp living in anemones include Ancylocaris brevicarpalis and Ancylomenes sp. 1.
Created 1 September 2010
Updated 11 December 2024