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HARLEQUIN SHRIMP
Hymenocera
picta Dana, 1852
Family Gnathophyllidae
Looking more
like orchids than shrimps, these fantastic animals have white and cream
bodies covered with large, wine-red spots (but generally brown with
bluish edges outside Hawai`i). The pincers expand into broad, brightly
patterned leaflike plates held face out in front of the head; one pair
of antennae bear flaglike extensions. The legs are banded. Thin plates
extending down the sides give the effect of a gaily caparisoned medieval
horse. These animals usually occur in pairs, feeding on sea stars, which
they turn over and devour alive over a period of days. (Sometimes, however,
a star will escape, leaving behind one of its arms.) They attack most
species of sea stars occurring in their habitat, including on occasion
the notorious Crown-of-Thorns Star. Single shrimps or mated pairs can
be successfully kept in aquariums if provided with live food. A
4-in. star will keep a pair occupied for about a week. Females are larger
than males. Wild pairs appear to be territorial, sometimes remaining
in the same area for months or years. Flamboyant, slow-moving animals
such as these are often toxic or bad tasting. It is possible that Harlequin
Shrimp incorporate toxins from their prey. ft. To about 2
in. Indo-Pacific and Eastern Pacific. Photo: Portlock Point, O`ahu.
30 ft.
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