Gnathophyllum americanum Guerin-Meneville, 1855

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, Ancylomenes tosaensis and Gnathophyllum americanum.

Created 1 September 2010

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