Arthropoda
Alpheus formosus
(Striped Snapping Shrimp)
Size
Length: 4cm (1.5")
Recognition Characters
Eyes are completely covered by carapace. Rostrum almost reaches second article of antennular peduncle. Supraorbital spines obvious. Antennular spines reaching beyond basal article of antennular peduncles. First legs are strongly chelate and very unequal in size. Larger leg is compressed (compared to other Alpheus sp.) and smooth and unnotched along margins. Finger incurved at tip
Color
Color pattern is conspicuous and characteristic, base color yellowish or greenish brown finely speckled with orange. Long, narrow light to white stripe along middorsal line extending from distal end of antennular peduncle to base of telson. Dorsolateral stripes brown on each side with white stripes underneath brown. Chelae greenish brown with orange red fingers. Antennules antennae, and walking legs are blue.
Habitat & Depth
Wrecks, crevices in rocks, reefs, holes in cans or debris. To 30m.
Distribution at GRNMS
Common. Can be collected with debris or found living commensally inside a variety of sponges or tunicates.
Geographic Range
North Carolina south to Brazil. Gulf of Mexico
Behavior & Notes
These are shy animals. They remain inside of host.
Synonyms
Williams 1984