The Common Marble Shrimp (Saron marmoratus) is a fascinating crustacean species found in a variety of marine environments. This shrimp is recognized for its distinctive marbled appearance and its adaptability to different habitats.
Description & Characteristics
The Common Marble Shrimp is a small, slender shrimp that can reach a maximum size of about 3 cm. It possesses a unique marbled pattern on its body, with a combination of brown, white, and orange hues. This coloration provides excellent camouflage, blending the shrimp into its surroundings.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Common Marble Shrimp is a common inhabitant of coral reefs and lagoons. They are typically found in the subtidal, sublittoral, infralittoral, deep zone of the oceans from the lower limit of the intertidal zone (intertidal) to the shelf edge at about 200 m water depth. They are considered a neritic species, meaning they primarily inhabit waters over the continental shelf.
Taxonomy
The Common Marble Shrimp, Saron marmoratus, is classified within the Class Malacostraca, which encompasses a wide variety of crustaceans. It belongs to the Order Decapoda, which includes crabs, lobsters, and other ten-legged crustaceans. The species is further classified within the Family Hippolytidae, a group known for their slender bodies and long, whip-like antennae.
Feeding
The Common Marble Shrimp is an omnivore, meaning it consumes a diverse range of food sources. Its diet includes: brine shrimps, carrion, coral polyps (corallivorous), detritus, small fish, fish flakes, frozen food (large sizes), live foods, mysids, plankton, zoobenthos, and zooplankton. This adaptable feeding strategy contributes to its success in various marine ecosystems.
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