These cute little shrimp decorate coral reefs in the ocean. Let’s get to know the harlequin shrimp!
- This shrimp, scientifically named Hymenocera picta, is better known as the harlequin shrimp.
- The body is white with irregularly located blue or purple spots.
- Its unique body shape at a glance resembles a mantis with large claws.
- The antennae are shaped like leaves, unlike ordinary shrimp which are long and thin.
- Harlequin shrimp are found in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
- Shrimp measuring 2 to 5 centimeters live in the crevices of coral reefs or under rocks.
- Starfish are the main food for harlequin shrimp. Small starfish are most often the choice.
- In the absence of a small starfish, this shrimp can also attack a large, spiny starfish by biting it bit by bit.
- Almost all his life he spent in the same environment. Harlequin shrimp can occupy the same place for several years.
- In the wild, harlequin shrimp can live up to 7 years of age.
- This shrimp lives in pairs of males and females and only has one partner during its life.
- The male and female shrimp are very similar in shape. However, the male shrimp are smaller in size.
- Each time she lays eggs, the female harlequin shrimp can lay 100 to 5000 eggs. The number of these eggs depends on the amount of food and environmental factors.
- The beauty of this shrimp motif makes it one of the animals that are often kept in saltwater aquariums.
- Harlequin shrimp kept in an aquarium should be a pair of male and female. If you only keep 1 tail, they usually don’t live long.
- Oh yes, this unique shrimp cannot be eaten because its body is poisonous.
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