Candy Stripe Pistol Shrimp, Randall’s Pistol Shrimp – Alpheus randalli

, Candy Stripe Pistol Shrimp, Randall's Pistol Shrimp - Alpheus randalli, Alpheus randalli
Depth: 1 - 5 m

Afghanistan, Alaska, Algeria, Andaman and Nicobar, Angola, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Arctic, Argentina, Ascension Island, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Azores Islands, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Canary Islands, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Cocos Islands, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Corsica Island, Crete Island, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, El Salvador, England, Equatorial Guinea, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Gabon, Galapagos Islands, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hawaii, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macedonia, Madagascar, Madeira Islands, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, North Korea, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Reunion Island, Romania, Russia, Saint Martin, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sardinia Island, Scotland, Senegal, Serbia, Sicily Island, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Georgia And The South Sandwich Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Ukraine, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Uruguay, US Minor Islands, USA, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Amvrakikos Gulf, Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Aral Sea, Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Barents Sea, Bay of Bengal, Bay of Biscay, Beaufort Sea, Bering Sea, Black Sea, Bohai Sea, Cantabrian Sea, Celtic Sea, Chukchi Sea, Coral Sea, Dead Sea, English Channel, German Bight, Great Barrier Reef, Greenland Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Fonseca, Gulf of Maine, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Halmahera Sea, Iberian Sea, Indian Ocean, Java Sea, Korinthiakos Gulf, Labrador Sea, Levantine Sea, Lingayan Gulf, Mediterranean Sea, Moro Gulf, Okhotsk Sea, Pacific Ocean, Pagassitikos Gulf, Salish Sea, Saronikos Gulf, Scotia Sea, Sea of Azov, Sea of Marmara, Siberian Sea, South China Sea, Southern Ocean, Thermaikos Gulf

The Candy Stripe Pistol Shrimp, Randall’s Pistol Shrimp, scientifically known as Alpheus randalli, is a fascinating crustacean found in coastal environments. This shrimp is recognized for its distinctive markings and unique snapping behavior.

Description & Characteristics

Alpheus randalli is a small shrimp, typically reaching a maximum size of around 2-3 centimeters. Its most striking feature is its color pattern, with alternating bands of white and reddish-brown or orange, giving it its common name “Candy Stripe Pistol Shrimp.” This coloration serves as camouflage, allowing it to blend into its surroundings. The shrimp’s most notable characteristic is its massive, asymmetrical claw, which it uses to produce a loud snapping sound. The larger claw is disproportionately large compared to its body, and it contains a specialized muscle that creates a cavitation bubble when it snaps shut. This bubble collapses with immense force, producing a sound that can reach over 200 decibels, effectively stunning prey or deterring potential predators.

Habitat and Occurrence

The Candy Stripe Pistol Shrimp, Alpheus randalli, typically inhabits Supratidal (Supralitoral), spray water area (splash water area) above the tidal influence where the influence of the sea clearly outweighs that of the land. This marine zone is characterized by its exposure to air and the spray of waves, making it a challenging environment for many marine creatures. Alpheus randalli is well-adapted to this harsh environment, capable of surviving periods of dryness and exposure to harsh sunlight.

Taxonomy

The species Alpheus randalli belongs to the Class: Malacostraca, Order: Decapoda, and Family: Alpheidae. This classification places Alpheus randalli within a large and diverse group of crustaceans, including crabs, lobsters, and other shrimp species.

Feeding

Alpheus randalli is a carnivorous species, feeding on a variety of small invertebrates. Its diet includes brine shrimps, flakes, frozen food (large sort), and zooplankton. The shrimp’s snapping claw is instrumental in capturing and subduing prey. When a prey item comes within range, the shrimp rapidly snaps its claw, creating a shockwave that stuns or kills the prey. This method allows Alpheus randalli to efficiently capture and consume a variety of small organisms.

Associated Species

Image References

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