Family

Common name: Pistol Shrimp

Scientific name: Alpheidae

Alpheidae, commonly known as pistol or snapping shrimp, are a family of caridean shrimp characterized by their asymmetrical claws. The larger claw can produce a loud snapping sound used for communication and defense. These shrimps form symbiotic relationships with various marine animals, including gobies, providing a unique dynamic to a reef tank. They are generally small, colorful, and can be beneficial in controlling pests like bristle worms. However, their snapping can be loud and they may sometimes disrupt the tank's substrate.

  1. Red snapping shrimp (Alpheus armatus) hiding in a corkscrew anemone in the Caribbean, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras
    Common name: brown snapping shrimp
    Scientific name: Alpheus armatus
  2. Common name: Beautiful goby shrimp
    Scientific name: Alpheus bellulus
  3. Red snapping shrimp (Alpheus armatus) hiding in a corkscrew anemone in the Caribbean, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras
    Common name: red snapping shrimp
    Scientific name: Alpheus bisincisus
  4. Gold-streaked prawn-goby and  Djeddah snapping shrimp
    Common name: Djeddah snapping shrimp
    Scientific name: Alpheus djeddensis
  5. Common name: Immaculate Pistol Shrimp
    Scientific name: Alpheus immaculatus
  6. Common name: fine-striped snapping shrimp
    Scientific name: Alpheus ochrostriatus
  7. Common name: Pacific Pistol Shrimp
    Scientific name: Alpheus pacificus
  8. Flagtail Shrimpgoby (Amblyeleotris yanoi) live together with Randall's snapping shrimp (Alpheus randalli). Underwater symbiosis. Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia.
    Common name: Randall's Pistol Shrimp
    Scientific name: Alpheus randalli
  9. Common name: Red-spotted Pistol Shrimp
    Scientific name: Alpheus rubromaculatus
  10. Common name: Twin Snapping Shrimp
    Scientific name: Alpheus soror
  11. Carinate Snapping Shrimp (Synalpheus carinatus)
    Common name: Carinate Snapping Shrimp
    Scientific name: Synalpheus carinatus
  12. Deman`s snapping shrimp with isopod (Synalpheus demani)
    Common name: Modest Snapping Shrimp
    Scientific name: Synalpheus demani
  13. Stimpson's Snapping Shrimp or crinoid snapping shrimp (synalpheus stimpsoni) near Anilao, Batangas, Philippines.  Underwater photography and travel.
    Common name: Stimpson's Pistol Shrimp
    Scientific name: Synalpheus stimpsonii