Ancylomenes

Characteristics

Ancylomenes shrimps typically possess a slender body and a rostrum, which is a beak-like projection on the head. Their bodies are adorned with vibrant colors, often displaying hues of red, orange, blue, or yellow. They range in size from a few millimeters to a couple of centimeters, with females being generally larger than males.

One distinctive feature of Ancylomenes shrimps is their symbiotic relationship with sea anemones. They live amongst the tentacles of their host anemones, seeking refuge from predators and benefiting from the anemones' food scraps. In exchange, the shrimps may clean parasites from the anemones, potentially providing a symbiotic benefit to their host.

Environments

Ancylomenes shrimps are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. They inhabit shallow coral reefs, rocky shores, and seagrass beds. These shrimps prefer areas with a high abundance of sea anemones, their preferred host.

Common Names

Ancylomenes shrimps are commonly referred to as "anemone shrimp" due to their symbiotic relationship with sea anemones. However, depending on the species, they may also be known by other names, such as:

• Squat shrimp
• Tiger shrimp
• Clown shrimp

References

For further information and references, please refer to the following sources:

• WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species
• NCBI Taxonomy Browser