Common name: Carinate Snapping Shrimp

General information

The Snapping Shrimp, scientifically known as Synalpheus carinatus, is a fascinating species of pistol shrimp renowned for its unique snapping claw. This claw can produce a loud popping sound that is used for communication and to stun prey. The shrimp is relatively small, usually not exceeding 2 inches in length, and is characterized by its vibrant colors and distinctively asymmetrical claws.

Care

Snapping Shrimp are intriguing additions to a reef aquarium due to their behavior and the beneficial role they play in the tank's ecosystem. They require a tank with plenty of live rock and a sandy substrate to create burrows. Stable water quality is essential, and they should be provided with a varied diet including frozen and live foods.

Reproduction

In the aquarium, Snapping Shrimp may breed if they are kept in a well-established system with a suitable mate. The female carries the eggs until they hatch into larvae, which then go through several planktonic stages before settling down and developing into juvenile shrimp.

Symbiosis

Some species of Snapping Shrimp, including Synalpheus carinatus, engage in a symbiotic relationship with certain species of gobies, such as those in the genus @species:amblyeleotris or @species:stonogobiops. The shrimp maintains a burrow that both the shrimp and the goby inhabit. The goby, with better eyesight, watches for danger while the shrimp, with its limited vision, relies on the goby's alerts to retreat into the burrow.

Habitat

Synalpheus carinatus is typically found in tropical marine environments, often in coral reefs or sandy areas near reefs. They are distributed across the Indo-Pacific region, where they play a role in the benthic community by turning over the substrate and promoting nutrient cycling.