Order

Common name: Decapods

Scientific name: Decapoda

Decapods, belonging to the order Decapoda, are a diverse group of crustaceans that include familiar species such as crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and prawns. These creatures are characterized by their ten limbs, which is a defining feature of the order. Decapods are found in a variety of aquatic environments, ranging from freshwater to marine ecosystems, and they play essential roles in their habitats as scavengers, predators, and prey.

In the context of reefkeeping, decapods are popular additions to saltwater aquariums due to their fascinating behaviors and important ecological roles. Many species are known for their vibrant colors and interesting patterns, which can add aesthetic value to an aquarium. For example, cleaner shrimp, a type of decapod, engage in symbiotic relationships with fish by removing parasites from their scales, providing both a cleaning service for the fish and a source of food for themselves.

When keeping decapods in an aquarium, it is crucial to consider their specific needs, such as water quality, temperature, and dietary requirements. Some decapods, like certain species of crabs, may exhibit aggressive behavior and could pose a threat to other tank inhabitants. Therefore, careful selection and compatibility assessment with other species in the tank are important.

Decapods have complex life cycles and often undergo several larval stages before reaching adulthood. This can be a challenge for breeding in captivity, but it also presents an opportunity for hobbyists interested in marine biology to observe these fascinating processes. Overall, decapods are a captivating and diverse group that can enhance the biodiversity and visual appeal of a marine aquarium.

  1. Orangutan Crab (Achaeus Japonicus) on coral, Lembeh Strait, Indonesia
    Common name: Orangutan Crab
    Scientific name: Achaeus japonicus
  2. Elegant Crinoid Squat Lobster (Allogalathea elegans)
    Common name: Elegant Crinoid Squat Lobster
    Scientific name: Allogalathea elegans
  3. 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
  4. Common name: Beautiful goby shrimp
    Scientific name: Alpheus bellulus
  5. 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
  6. Gold-streaked prawn-goby and  Djeddah snapping shrimp
    Common name: Djeddah snapping shrimp
    Scientific name: Alpheus djeddensis
  7. Common name: Immaculate Pistol Shrimp
    Scientific name: Alpheus immaculatus
  8. Common name: fine-striped snapping shrimp
    Scientific name: Alpheus ochrostriatus
  9. Common name: Pacific Pistol Shrimp
    Scientific name: Alpheus pacificus
  10. Flagtail Shrimpgoby (Amblyeleotris yanoi) live together with Randall's Pistol Shrimp (Alpheus randalli), Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia
    Common name: Randall's Pistol Shrimp
    Scientific name: Alpheus randalli
  11. Common name: Red-spotted Pistol Shrimp
    Scientific name: Alpheus rubromaculatus
  12. Common name: Twin Snapping Shrimp
    Scientific name: Alpheus soror
  13. Holthuis Cleaner Shrimp, Ancylomenes holthuisi at a Puerto Galera tropical coral reef in the Philippines. This transparent shrimp is hiding among the tentacles of a beautiful sea anemone
    Common name: Holthuis' Shrimp
    Scientific name: Ancylomenes holthuisi
  14. Sarasvati Anemone Shrimp Ancylomenes sarasvati
    Common name: Sarasvati Anemone Shrimp
    Scientific name: Ancylomenes sarasvati
  15. Portrait of a regal slipper lobster (Arctides regalis) also called shovel-nosed lobster; Hawaii, United States of America
    Common name: Regal Slipper lobster
    Scientific name: Arctides regalis
  16. Red-leg Hermit Crab (Calcinus californiensis), Colima, Mexico
    Common name: Red-leg Hermit Crab
    Scientific name: Calcinus californiensis
  17. Electric Blue Hermit Crab (Calcinus elegans), Wakayama, Japan
    Common name: Electric Blue Hermit Crab
    Scientific name: Calcinus elegans
  18. Left-handed Hermit Crab (Calcinus laevimanus), Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands
    Common name: Left-handed Hermit Crab
    Scientific name: Calcinus laevimanus
  19. Orangeclaw Hermit Crab (Calcinus tibicen), Florida, USA
    Common name: Orangeclaw Hermit Crab
    Scientific name: Calcinus tibicen
  20. Decorator Crab (Camposcia retusa)
    Common name: Decorator Crab
    Scientific name: Camposcia retusa
  21. Convex Reef Crab (Carpilius convexus)
    Common name: Convex Reef Crab
    Scientific name: Carpilius convexus
  22. Spotted Reef Crab (Carpilius maculatus), Papua New Guinea
    Common name: Seven-eleven Crab
    Scientific name: Carpilius maculatus
  23. Squat Lobster (Chirostylus dolichopus)
    Common name: Squat Lobster
    Scientific name: Chirostylus dolichopus
  24. Cone Shell Hermit Crab (Ciliopagurus strigatus), East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
    Common name: Halloween Hermit Crab
    Scientific name: Ciliopagurus strigatus
  25. Common name: Henderson's hinge-beak shrimp
    Scientific name: Cinetorhynchus hendersoni
  26. red night shrimp
    Common name: Manning hingebeak
    Scientific name: Cinetorhynchus manningi
  27. Green-eye Dancing Shrimp (Cinetorhynchus reticulatus) close up of the orange/ red colored shrimp sitting on the reef.
    Common name: reticulated hingebeak
    Scientific name: Cinetorhynchus reticulatus
  28. Dwarf Red Tip Hermit Crab (Clibanarius digueti)
    Common name: Dwarf Red Tip Hermit Crab
    Scientific name: Clibanarius digueti
  29. Common name: Orange-red Hermit Crab
    Scientific name: Clibanarius rutilus
  30. Blue-legged Hermit Crab (Clibanarius tricolor), Riviera Beach, Florida, USA
    Common name: Blue-legged Hermit Crab
    Scientific name: Clibanarius tricolor
  31. Corallimorph Decorator Crab (Cyclocoeloma tuberculatum)
    Common name: Corallimorph Decorator Crab
    Scientific name: Cyclocoeloma tuberculatum
  32. Blue Knee Hermit Crab (Dardanus guttatus), Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands
    Common name: Blue Knee Hermit Crab
    Scientific name: Dardanus guttatus
  33. Hairy Red Hermit Crab (Dardanus lagopodes), Mabini, Batangas, Philippines
    Common name: Dark Knee Hermit Crab
    Scientific name: Dardanus lagopodes
  34. White-spotted Hermit Crab (Dardanus megistos)
    Common name: White-spotted Hermit Crab
    Scientific name: Dardanus megistos
  35. Anemone Hermit Crab (Dardanus pedunculatus), Dampier Strait, Raja Ampat, Indonesia
    Common name: Anemone Hermit Crab
    Scientific name: Dardanus pedunculatus
  36. Soft coral partner shrimp (Dasycaris ceratops) hide in their habitat, Tulumben, Bali, Indonesia
    Common name: Horned Sea Pen Shrimp
    Scientific name: Dasycaris ceratops
  37. Zanzibar whip coral shrimp, Dasycaris zanzibarica
    Common name: Zanzibar Whip Coral Shrimp
    Scientific name: Dasycaris zanzibarica
  38. Common name: Debelius' Reef Lobster
    Scientific name: Enoplometopus debelius
  39. Common name: Bullseye Reef Lobster
    Scientific name: Enoplometopus holthuisi
  40. Red Reef Lobster (Enoplometopus occidentalis), Honolulu County, Hawaii
    Common name: Red Reef Lobster
    Scientific name: Enoplometopus occidentalis
  41. Bumble bee shrimp
    Common name: Striped Bumblebee Shrimp
    Scientific name: Gnathophyllum americanum
  42. Boschma`s Gorgonian Shrimp (Hamodactylus boschmai
    Common name: coral shrimp
    Scientific name: Hamodactylus boschmai
  43. Sexy Shrimp on Soft Coral
    Common name: Sexy Shrimp
    Scientific name: Hamodactylus noumeae
  44. Egg Shell Shrimp - Hamopontonia corallicola
    Common name: Mushroom coral shrimp
    Scientific name: Hamopontonia corallicola
  45. Calico Box Crab (Hepatus epheliticus), Captiva, Florida, US
    Common name: Calico Box Crab
    Scientific name: Hepatus epheliticus
  46. Soft Coral Crab (Hoplophrys oatesii)
    Common name: Soft Coral Crab
    Scientific name: Hoplophrys oatesii
  47. Incredible underwater world - Hymenocera picta - Harlequin shrimp. Eating/feeding starfish. Underwater macro photography. Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia.
    Common name: harlequin shrimp
    Scientific name: Hymenocera picta
  48. Leach's Spider Crab (Inachus phalangium), Marseille, France
    Common name: Leach's Spider Crab
    Scientific name: Inachus phalangium
  49. Common name: Variable crinoid shrimp
    Scientific name: Laomenes ceratophthalmus
  50. ラオメネス・コルヌトゥス
    Common name: Harlequin Shrimp
    Scientific name: Laomenes cornutus
  51. Banded Arrow Crab (Latreillia valida), Waisai, Raja Ampat, Indonesia
    Common name: Banded Arrow Crab
    Scientific name: Latreillia valida
  52. Hairy Squat Lobster (Lauriea siagiani)
    Common name: Hairy Squat Lobster
    Scientific name: Lauriea siagiani
  53. Donald Duck shrimp
    Common name: Plume shrimp
    Scientific name: Leander plumosus
  54. Harlequin Swimming Crab (Lissocarcinus Laevis)
    Common name: Harlequin Swimming Crab
    Scientific name: Lissocarcinus laevis
  55. Sea Cucumber Swimming Crab (Lissocarcinus orbicularis) living on a sea cucumber
    Common name: Sea Cucumber Swimming Crab
    Scientific name: Lissocarcinus orbicularis
  56. Pom-pom Crab (Lybia tessellata), Ambon, Indonesia
    Common name: Pom-pom Crab
    Scientific name: Lybia tessellata
  57. Tomato grouper (Cephalopholis sonnerati) being cleaned by a cleaner shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis) in Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia
    Common name: Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
    Scientific name: Lysmata amboinensis
  58. Common name: Anker's Pistol Shrimp
    Scientific name: Lysmata ankeri
  59. Common name: Peppermint Shrimp
    Scientific name: Lysmata bahia
  60. Close-up of live Peppermint Shrimp under water
    Common name: Peppermint Shrimp
    Scientific name: Lysmata boggessi
  61. Red Striped Shrimp
    Common name: lined shrimp
    Scientific name: Lysmata californica
  62. Fire Shrimp - Lysmata debelius
    Common name: scarlet cleaner shrimp
    Scientific name: Lysmata debelius
  63. CLEANER SHRIMP lysmata grabhami ON SEA ANEMON
    Common name: cleaner shrimp
    Scientific name: Lysmata grabhami
  64. Camarão Bailarino (lysmata wurdemanni)
    Common name: peppermint shrimp
    Scientific name: Lysmata wurdemanni
  65. Stahorn Hermit Crab with Staghorn Hydrocoral
    Common name: Red Sea Feather Star
    Scientific name: Manucomplanus varians
  66. Dragon shrimp, Gorgonian Horned Shrimp, miropandalus hardingi. Romblon, Philippines.
    Common name: Dragon shrimp
    Scientific name: Miropandalus hardingi
  67. Nodose Clinging Crab (Mithraculus coryphe), Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
    Common name: Nodose Clinging Crab
    Scientific name: Mithraculus coryphe
  68. Emerald Crab (Mithraculus sculptus), Monroe County, Florida, USA
    Common name: Emerald Crab
    Scientific name: Mithraculus sculptus
  69. Bull Hydroid Crab (Naxioides taurus), Raja Ampat, Indonesia
    Common name: Bull Hydroid Crab
    Scientific name: Naxioides taurus
  70. Spotted Porcelain Crab (Neopetrolisthes maculatus)
    Common name: Spotted Porcelain Crab
    Scientific name: Neopetrolisthes maculates
  71. Red Reef Hermit Crab (Paguristes cadenati), Curaçao
    Common name: Red Reef Hermit Crab
    Scientific name: Paguristes cadenati
  72. Common Hermit Crab (Pagurus bernhardus)
    Common name: Common Hermit Crab
    Scientific name: Pagurus bernhardus
  73. Stripe-leg spiny lobster, Panulirus femoristriga, Wakatobi, Indonesia
    Common name: Stripe-leg spiny lobster
    Scientific name: Panulirus femoristriga
  74. Group of lobsters under ledge
    Common name: California spiny lobster
    Scientific name: Panulirus interruptus
  75. Incredible Underwater World - Ornate Spiny Lobster - Panulirus ornatus (living underneath Xestospongia testudinaria). Diving in Bali.
    Common name: ornate spiny lobster
    Scientific name: Panulirus ornatus
  76. Variegated crayfish on the seabed in Raja Ampat. Panulirus penicillatus during dive in Indonesia. Lobster is hiding on the corals.
    Common name: pronghorn spiny lobster
    Scientific name: Panulirus penicillatus
  77. Painted Spiny Lobster juvenile - Panulirus versicolor in coral reefs. Underwater world of Indonesia.
    Common name: slipper lobster
    Scientific name: Panulirus versicolor
  78. Cave shrimp, Parhippolyte uveae, Sulawesi Indoensia.
    Common name: sugarcane shrimp
    Scientific name: Parhippolyte uveae
  79. A Sculptured Slipper Lobster (Parribacus antarcticus) in Cozumel, Mexico
    Common name: sculptured mitten lobster
    Scientific name: Parribacus antarcticus
  80. Sally Lightfoot Crab (Percnon gibbesi), Kralendijk, Bonaire
    Common name: Sally Lightfoot Crab
    Scientific name: Percnon gibbesi
  81. Flat Rock Crab (Percnon planissimum) rests on coral of Bali
    Common name: Flat Rock Crab
    Scientific name: Percnon planissimum
  82. Amboinensis crinoid shrimp ( Periclimenes amboinensis ) crawls on a feather star crinoid of Bali, Indonesia
    Common name: ambon crinoid shrimp
    Scientific name: Periclimenes amboinensis
  83. Short hand commensal shrimp, Periclimenes brevicarpalis
    Common name: pacific clown anemone shrimp
    Scientific name: Periclimenes brevicarpalis
  84. Common name: Brock's Anemone Shrimp
    Scientific name: Periclimenes brockii
  85. Two Coleman Shrimp (Periclimenes colemani)
    Common name: Coleman Shrimp
    Scientific name: Periclimenes colemani
  86. A minute skeleton shrimp (Caprella sp) sits on a hydroid on the Coral Reef dive site, Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia
    Common name: hydroid shrimp
    Scientific name: Periclimenes galene
  87. purple shrimp bunaken periclimenes holthuisi underwater photo
    Common name: Holthuis' Shrimp
    Scientific name: Periclimenes holthuisi
  88. Emperor Shrimp
    Common name: emperor shrimp
    Scientific name: Periclimenes imperator
  89. Mushroom coral shrimp ( Periclimenes kororensis ) resting in sea anemone tentacle of Bali, Indonesia
    Common name: Koror Anemone Shrimp
    Scientific name: Periclimenes kororensis
  90. Commensal shrimp,  Periclimenes lanipes, living in a basket starfish, Raja Ampat Indonesia.
    Common name: Harlequin Shrimp
    Scientific name: Periclimenes lanipes
  91. Partnergarnele
    Common name: Long-arm Cleaner Shrimp
    Scientific name: Periclimenes longicarpus
  92. オドリカクレエビ (periclimenes magnificus) 、英語名のアネモネシュリンプと呼ばれることも。三重県尾鷲市
    Common name: Magnificent Shrimp
    Scientific name: Periclimenes magnificus
  93. Pederson Cleaner Shrimp (Periclimenes pedersoni) in Corkscrew Anomones (Bartholomea annulata)
    Common name: Pederson cleaner shrimp
    Scientific name: Periclimenes pedersoni
  94. Periclimenes psamathe, Hydroid Shrimp on the Small Lalaguna dive site, Puerto Galera,, Philippines
    Common name: translucent gorgonian shrimp
    Scientific name: Periclimenes psamathe
  95. Emperor shrimp / Zenopontonia rex (Periclimenes imperator).  Picture was taken near Island Bangka in North Sulawesi, Indonesia
    Common name: Emperor Shrimp
    Scientific name: Periclimenes rex
  96. Sea Star Shrimp (Periclimenes soror) on blue sea star
    Common name: Sea Star Shrimp
    Scientific name: Periclimenes soror
  97. Commensal shrimps, Periclimenes tenuipes, Bali Indonesia.
    Common name: Glass shrimp
    Scientific name: Periclimenes tenuipes
  98. Close-up of a glass anemone shrimp (Periclimenes brevicarpalis) in the deep blue ocean
    Common name: Glass Anemone Shrimp
    Scientific name: Periclimenes tenuis
  99. Tosa Commensal Shrimp (Periclimenes tosaensis) in a Coral. Triton Bay, West Papua, Indonesia
    Common name: Periclimenes sarasvati
    Scientific name: Periclimenes tosaensis
  100. Commensal shrimp (Periclimenes venustus), Sulawesi, Indonesia
    Common name: graceful anemone shrimp
    Scientific name: Periclimenes venustus
  101. A spotted cleaner shrimp Periclimenes yucatanicus
    Common name: spotted cleaner shrimp
    Scientific name: Periclimenes yucatanicus
  102. Banded Porcelain Crab (Petrolisthes galathinus), Conception Island, Bahamas
    Common name: Banded Porcelain Crab
    Scientific name: Petrolisthes galathinus
  103. Common name: red-striped hermit
    Scientific name: Phimochirus holthuisi
  104. Common name: polkadotted hermit
    Scientific name: Phimochirus operculatus
  105. Phyllognathia ceratophthalma, Tiger shrimp
    Common name: bongo shrimp
    Scientific name: Phyllognathia ceratophthalma
  106. Common name: bristly crab
    Scientific name: Pilumnus hirtellus
  107. Disk Anemone Shrimp - Pliopontonia furtiva
    Common name: Pliopontonia furtiva
    Scientific name: Pliopontonia furtiva
  108. Whip coral Shrimp, Pontonides unciger (Pontonides ankeri) Raja Ampat Indonesia.
    Common name: wire coral shrimp
    Scientific name: Pontonides unciger
  109. Haig's Porcelain Crab (Porcellanella haigae), Bali, Indonesia
    Common name: Haig's Porcelain Crab
    Scientific name: Porcellanella haigae
  110. Three-lobed Porcelain Crab (Porcellanella triloba)
    Common name: Three-lobed Porcelain Crab
    Scientific name: Porcellanella triloba
  111. Hingebeak shrimp (Rhynchocinetes durbanensis) near Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia
    Common name: Durban Hinge-Beak Shrimp
    Scientific name: Rhynchocinetes durbanensis
  112. Camel shrimp
    Common name: Red Camel Shrimp
    Scientific name: Rhynchocinetes uritai
  113. Common name: Hairy Urchin Shrimp
    Scientific name: Sandimenes hirsutus
  114. Marbled Shrimp (Saron marmoratus), Exmouth, Australia
    Common name: Marbled Shrimp
    Scientific name: Saron marmoratus
  115. Common name: eyespot shrimp
    Scientific name: Saron neglectus
  116. Common Decorator Crab (Schizophrys aspera), Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia
    Common name: Common Decorator Crab
    Scientific name: Schizophrys aspera
  117. Mediterranean Slipper Lobster (Scyllarides latus)
    Common name: Mediterranean Slipper Lobster
    Scientific name: Scyllarides latus
  118. Slipper Lobster, Scyllarides nodifer, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Key Largo
    Common name: ridged slipper lobster
    Scientific name: Scyllarides nodifer
  119. セミエビの背中
    Common name: blunt locust lobster
    Scientific name: Scyllarides squammosus
  120. Small European locust lobster (Scyllarus arctus).
    Common name: small European locust lobster
    Scientific name: Scyllarus arctus