Hymenocera picta
Harlequin or paddle shrimp, 40mm

This bizarre little shrimp feeds exclusively on seastars. It is most often seen eating the abundant Linckia multifora, but has occasionally been found eating other species as well, including the cushion star Culcita (juveniles) and even the crown-of-thorns, Acanthaster planci. Here at Kwajalein, this shrimp tends to stay well out of sight under rocks or back in caves. Specimens we have seen in Hawaii and Bali tend to sit right out in the open. Apparently there is something in coral atolls that is likely to prey upon these shrimp, possibly voracious wrasses or snappers.

On prey seastar.

Created 26 November 2013
Updated 3 July 2018

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