Class
Common name: Malacostracans
Scientific name: Malacostraca
Malacostracans are a diverse and fascinating group of crustaceans that include familiar species such as crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and krill. They are the largest class within the subphylum Crustacea and are characterized by their segmented bodies, which typically consist of 19 segments divided among the head, thorax, and abdomen. This segmentation allows for a wide range of adaptations and ecological niches.
In the context of reefkeeping, certain malacostracans, such as cleaner shrimp and hermit crabs, are popular additions to marine aquariums. These creatures not only add visual interest with their vibrant colors and intriguing behaviors but also provide essential ecological services. For instance, cleaner shrimp are known for their symbiotic relationships with fish, where they remove parasites and dead tissue, promoting the health of their tank mates.
Malacostracans exhibit a variety of reproductive strategies, with some species releasing planktonic larvae into the water column, while others brood their young until they are more developed. This diversity in life cycles can affect their care in captivity, as some species might require specific conditions for successful breeding.
From a scientific perspective, malacostracans are of interest due to their complex behaviors and ecological roles in both marine and freshwater environments. They play crucial roles in food webs, serving as both predators and prey, and contribute to the breakdown of organic material, thus recycling nutrients within ecosystems.
When considering adding malacostracans to an aquarium, hobbyists should research the specific needs and compatibility of each species, as their requirements can vary widely. Factors such as tank size, water parameters, and dietary needs must be carefully managed to ensure their health and well-being.
Common name: Orangutan CrabScientific name: Achaeus japonicus
Common name: Elegant Crinoid Squat LobsterScientific name: Allogalathea elegans- Common name: brown snapping shrimpScientific name: Alpheus armatus
- Common name: Beautiful goby shrimpScientific name: Alpheus bellulus
- Common name: red snapping shrimpScientific name: Alpheus bisincisus
- Common name: Djeddah snapping shrimpScientific name: Alpheus djeddensis
- Common name: Immaculate Pistol ShrimpScientific name: Alpheus immaculatus
- Common name: fine-striped snapping shrimpScientific name: Alpheus ochrostriatus
- Common name: Pacific Pistol ShrimpScientific name: Alpheus pacificus
Common name: Randall's Pistol ShrimpScientific name: Alpheus randalli- Common name: Red-spotted Pistol ShrimpScientific name: Alpheus rubromaculatus
- Common name: Twin Snapping ShrimpScientific name: Alpheus soror
- Common name: Holthuis' ShrimpScientific name: Ancylomenes holthuisi
- Common name: Sarasvati Anemone ShrimpScientific name: Ancylomenes sarasvati
- Common name: Regal Slipper lobsterScientific name: Arctides regalis
Common name: Red-leg Hermit CrabScientific name: Calcinus californiensis
Common name: Electric Blue Hermit CrabScientific name: Calcinus elegans
Common name: Left-handed Hermit CrabScientific name: Calcinus laevimanus
Common name: Orangeclaw Hermit CrabScientific name: Calcinus tibicen
Common name: Decorator CrabScientific name: Camposcia retusa
Common name: Convex Reef CrabScientific name: Carpilius convexus
Common name: Seven-eleven CrabScientific name: Carpilius maculatus
Common name: Squat LobsterScientific name: Chirostylus dolichopus
Common name: Halloween Hermit CrabScientific name: Ciliopagurus strigatus- Common name: Henderson's hinge-beak shrimpScientific name: Cinetorhynchus hendersoni
- Common name: Manning hingebeakScientific name: Cinetorhynchus manningi
- Common name: reticulated hingebeakScientific name: Cinetorhynchus reticulatus
Common name: Dwarf Red Tip Hermit CrabScientific name: Clibanarius digueti- Common name: Orange-red Hermit CrabScientific name: Clibanarius rutilus
Common name: Blue-legged Hermit CrabScientific name: Clibanarius tricolor
Common name: Corallimorph Decorator CrabScientific name: Cyclocoeloma tuberculatum
Common name: Blue Knee Hermit CrabScientific name: Dardanus guttatus
Common name: Dark Knee Hermit CrabScientific name: Dardanus lagopodes
Common name: White-spotted Hermit CrabScientific name: Dardanus megistos
Common name: Anemone Hermit CrabScientific name: Dardanus pedunculatus- Common name: Horned Sea Pen ShrimpScientific name: Dasycaris ceratops
- Common name: Zanzibar Whip Coral ShrimpScientific name: Dasycaris zanzibarica
- Common name: Debelius' Reef LobsterScientific name: Enoplometopus debelius
- Common name: Bullseye Reef LobsterScientific name: Enoplometopus holthuisi
Common name: Red Reef LobsterScientific name: Enoplometopus occidentalis- Common name: Antarctic krillScientific name: Euphausia superba
- Common name: Speckled sea louseScientific name: Eurydice pulchra
- Common name: Bob Marley ParasiteScientific name: Gnathia marleyi
- Common name: Striped Bumblebee ShrimpScientific name: Gnathophyllum americanum
- Common name: Peacock Mantis ShrimpScientific name: Gonodactylus chiragra
- Common name: Peacock Mantis ShrimpScientific name: Gonodactylus smithii
- Common name: coral shrimpScientific name: Hamodactylus boschmai
- Common name: Sexy ShrimpScientific name: Hamodactylus noumeae
- Common name: Mushroom coral shrimpScientific name: Hamopontonia corallicola
- Common name: Peacock Mantis ShrimpScientific name: Haptosquilla pulchella
- Common name: Mantis ShrimpScientific name: Hemisquilla ensigera
Common name: Calico Box CrabScientific name: Hepatus epheliticus
Common name: Soft Coral CrabScientific name: Hoplophrys oatesii- Common name: harlequin shrimpScientific name: Hymenocera picta
Common name: Leach's Spider CrabScientific name: Inachus phalangium
Common name: Janira maculosaScientific name: Janira maculosa- Common name: Variable crinoid shrimpScientific name: Laomenes ceratophthalmus
- Common name: Harlequin ShrimpScientific name: Laomenes cornutus
Common name: Banded Arrow CrabScientific name: Latreillia valida
Common name: Hairy Squat LobsterScientific name: Lauriea siagiani- Common name: Plume shrimpScientific name: Leander plumosus
Common name: Harlequin Swimming CrabScientific name: Lissocarcinus laevis
Common name: Sea Cucumber Swimming CrabScientific name: Lissocarcinus orbicularis
Common name: Pom-pom CrabScientific name: Lybia tessellata- Common name: golden mantis shrimpScientific name: Lysiosquilla tredecimdentata
- Common name: Skunk Cleaner ShrimpScientific name: Lysmata amboinensis
- Common name: Anker's Pistol ShrimpScientific name: Lysmata ankeri
- Common name: Peppermint ShrimpScientific name: Lysmata bahia
- Common name: Peppermint ShrimpScientific name: Lysmata boggessi
- Common name: lined shrimpScientific name: Lysmata californica
- Common name: scarlet cleaner shrimpScientific name: Lysmata debelius
- Common name: cleaner shrimpScientific name: Lysmata grabhami
- Common name: peppermint shrimpScientific name: Lysmata wurdemanni
- Common name: Red Sea Feather StarScientific name: Manucomplanus varians
- Common name: Dragon shrimpScientific name: Miropandalus hardingi
Common name: Nodose Clinging CrabScientific name: Mithraculus coryphe
Common name: Emerald CrabScientific name: Mithraculus sculptus- Common name: Mysis ShrimpScientific name: Mysis relicta
Common name: Bull Hydroid CrabScientific name: Naxioides taurus
Common name: Smashing Mantis ShrimpScientific name: Neogonodactylus bredini- Common name: An opossum shrimpScientific name: Neomysis integer
Common name: Spotted Porcelain CrabScientific name: Neopetrolisthes maculates- Common name: pink tail mantis shrimpScientific name: Odontodactylus latirostris
- Common name: Peacock Mantis ShrimpScientific name: Odontodactylus scyllarus
Common name: Red Reef Hermit CrabScientific name: Paguristes cadenati
Common name: Common Hermit CrabScientific name: Pagurus bernhardus- Common name: Stripe-leg spiny lobsterScientific name: Panulirus femoristriga
- Common name: California spiny lobsterScientific name: Panulirus interruptus
- Common name: ornate spiny lobsterScientific name: Panulirus ornatus
- Common name: pronghorn spiny lobsterScientific name: Panulirus penicillatus
- Common name: slipper lobsterScientific name: Panulirus versicolor
- Common name: sugarcane shrimpScientific name: Parhippolyte uveae
- Common name: sculptured mitten lobsterScientific name: Parribacus antarcticus
Common name: Sally Lightfoot CrabScientific name: Percnon gibbesi
Common name: Flat Rock CrabScientific name: Percnon planissimum- Common name: ambon crinoid shrimpScientific name: Periclimenes amboinensis
- Common name: pacific clown anemone shrimpScientific name: Periclimenes brevicarpalis
- Common name: Brock's Anemone ShrimpScientific name: Periclimenes brockii
Common name: Coleman ShrimpScientific name: Periclimenes colemani- Common name: hydroid shrimpScientific name: Periclimenes galene
- Common name: Holthuis' ShrimpScientific name: Periclimenes holthuisi
- Common name: emperor shrimpScientific name: Periclimenes imperator
- Common name: Koror Anemone ShrimpScientific name: Periclimenes kororensis
- Common name: Harlequin ShrimpScientific name: Periclimenes lanipes
- Common name: Long-arm Cleaner ShrimpScientific name: Periclimenes longicarpus
- Common name: Magnificent ShrimpScientific name: Periclimenes magnificus
- Common name: Pederson cleaner shrimpScientific name: Periclimenes pedersoni
- Common name: translucent gorgonian shrimpScientific name: Periclimenes psamathe
- Common name: Emperor ShrimpScientific name: Periclimenes rex
Common name: Sea Star ShrimpScientific name: Periclimenes soror- Common name: Glass shrimpScientific name: Periclimenes tenuipes
- Common name: Glass Anemone ShrimpScientific name: Periclimenes tenuis
- Common name: Periclimenes sarasvatiScientific name: Periclimenes tosaensis
- Common name: graceful anemone shrimpScientific name: Periclimenes venustus
- Common name: spotted cleaner shrimpScientific name: Periclimenes yucatanicus
Common name: Banded Porcelain CrabScientific name: Petrolisthes galathinus
Common name: Red-stripe Hermit CrabScientific name: Phimochirus holthuisi
Common name: Polkadotted HermitScientific name: Phimochirus operculatus- Common name: bongo shrimpScientific name: Phyllognathia ceratophthalma
Common name: Bristly CrabScientific name: Pilumnus hirtellus