Coral Pistol Shrimp, Alpheus lottini

Coral Pistol Shrimp, Alpheus lottini. Shrimp collected from within Cauliflower Coral, Pocillopora elegans, at El Tule, Km 17, Baja California Sur, December 2009. Size: 3.0 cm (1.2 inches).

Phylogeny:  The Coral Pistol Shrimp, Alpheus lottini (Guéin and Méneville, 1829) is a member of the Alpheidae Family of Caridean Snapping Shrimp. This species is also known as the Coral Snapping Shrimp, Lottin’s Snapping Shrimp, and the Pocillopora Shrimp. In Mexico, it is known as camarón pistola de coral and camarón chasqueadores.

Morphology:  The Coral Pistol Shrimp has a very distinct morphology due to its red color, a black band down its back, and spotted claws. Across the world, they are considered the most colorful species of shrimp. Their chelae are compressed, compared to the rounded chelae of the genus of snapping shrimp, Synalpheus. They have eyes that are hidden under an opaque shell. This species has the unique ability to be able to lose their single large claw and regenerate a replacement on the opposite side. The Coral Pistol Shrimp reach a maximum of 5.0 cm (2.0 inches) in length.

Habitat and Distribution:  In Mexican waters they are a resident of the Pacific being but have a limited distribution being found from La Paz, Baja California Sur, southward along the coast of the mainland to Guatemala. They are absent from the west coast of Baja and from the majority of the Sea of Cortez. Coral Pistol Shrimp are found in the intertidal zone to depths up to 17 m (50 feet). They reside within Cauliflower Coral, Ocillopora elegans. More than one individual can be found within a single coral head.

Diet:  The Coral Pistol Shrimp feed on coral mucous and detritus trapped in the mucous. In addition, they often feed on dead coral tissue, which also functions to keep the coral healthy.

Reproduction: Species of the Order Decapoda are typically gonochoric and tend to perform a mating ritual involving olfactory and tactile cues. Fertilization occurs through indirect sperm transfer.

Behavior:  In the Indo-Pacific Ocean, the Coral Pistol Shrimp are known to defend their host coral from the Crown-of-Thorns Starfish, Acanthaster planci. They pinch the starfish’s tube feet and snap off their arms. They are also known for their intraspecific communications with Coral Crabs of the genus Trapezia. The Coral Crabs are bigger and stronger and will not share a coral head with the shrimp unless the shrimp performs an appeasement dance. When one is present around tidal pools at low tide the presence of these animals is readily apparent as they generate very loud rapports that can be heard at distances of up to 180 meters (200-yards). It is believed that this snapping is utilized to stun small prey for subsequent consumption.

Synonyms:  Alpheus laevis, Alpheus rouxii, Alpheus sublucanus, Alpheus thetis, Alpheus ventricosus, Cancer sublucanus, and Crangon latipes.