Skip to main content
Close

Hingebeak Shrimp

Rhynchocinetes durbanensis

Photo by Blogie
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

6.94941, 125.669

Field Notes

Description:

Also known as Rock & Hingebeak Shrimp, Durban Shrimp, Durban Dancing Shrimp, Red Hingebeak Shrimp, Hinge-back Shrimp, Peppermint Hinge-back Shrimp, Candy Shrimp, Camelback Shrimp, Camel Shrimp, Humpback Shrimp, Durban Hingebeak Prawn.

They feed on parasites, algae and plankton, and grow to a length of about 4cm.

Hingebeak shrimp are distinguished by a movable rostrum or beak that is usually angled upwards. It is often seen moving around with sudden stops, hence the name "Dancing Shrimp." It has a variable pattern of red and white stripes on its body.

Habitat:

Found in large groups in rocky outcrops, under overhangs and among coral rubble. In this series, an army of hingebeak shrimp were spotted under an old wood. Widespread in the Indo-Pacific region.

Notes:

At a depth of about 25 feet, an army of hingebeak shrimp live together with other types of shrimp and other marine life. They were all on, in and around a huge old wood.

In the 3rd photo, it looks like there was a face-off between fish and shrimp!

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (2)

They populate the "cleaning stations" where the reef fish come in to be cleaned of parasites!...therefor no face-off but a symbiotic encounter!
Striking how widespread they are from the Micronesian waters in the North down to the South African waters in the South!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon