Peacock anemone shrimp
Ancylocaris brevicarpalis
A small, transparent marine shrimp that lives in symbiosis with large sea anemones, adorned with white spots and a peacock-like tail pattern. Geographical Origin and Habitat: Periclimenes...
Temperatura da água
22 - 28 °C
Valor de pH
8.1 - 8.4
Tipo de água
Marinho
Tipo invertebrado
Marine shrimp
Tamanho adulto
4 cm
Grupo mínimo
>= 1
Papel ecológico
Symbiont
Sensibilidade ao cobre
High
Descrição da espécie
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Periclimenes brevicarpalis, commonly known as the peacock anemone shrimp or glass anemone shrimp, is widely distributed throughout the tropical Indo-West Pacific. Its range extends from the Red Sea and East Africa, across Indonesia and the Philippines, to northern Australia and southern Japan. It lives in commensal association with large sea anemones, such as Stichodactyla and Heteractis species, at depths of 1 to 30 meters.
Taxonomy: Belongs to the family Palaemonidae and the genus Periclimenes. It is a small species of cleaner shrimp, with adults reaching a maximum length of 2 to 4 cm. Its transparent exoskeleton provides excellent camouflage among the stinging tentacles of its host anemone, to which it is chemically immune.
Social Behavior: Highly dependent on its host anemone, rarely leaving its protective tentacles. They are often found in breeding pairs on a single host. The shrimp exhibits a distinctive swaying motion to signal its presence. It acts as a cleaner, removing detritus and parasites from the anemone's surface in exchange for protection.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: The body is mostly transparent, highlighted by distinct, opaque white spots on the carapace, abdomen, and leg joints. The tail features a fan-like pattern with five orange spots ringed in black, resembling peacock feathers. Females are significantly larger and more robust than males, possessing larger white patches.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Tank Setup: Can be housed in reef or nano reef tanks of at least 50 liters. The presence of a host sea anemone (such as a carpet anemone or bubble-tip anemone) is strongly recommended for their long-term health and protection from predators, though they may occasionally host in large-polyp stony (LPS) corals.
Diet and Feeding: An omnivorous scavenger. It feeds on host mucus, detritus, and leftovers. In captivity, they readily accept fine frozen foods such as mysis, brine shrimp, and copepods, as well as sinking pellet foods. Target feeding with a pipette is recommended to ensure they receive enough food.
Water Quality: Requires stable reef parameters: water temperature of 24 °C to 28 °C, pH of 8.1 to 8.4, and specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025. Monitor calcium, magnesium, and carbonate hardness levels, as these are critical for successful molting. Regular iodine dosing supports exoskeleton development.
Compatibility and Tankmates: Completely reef-safe and peaceful. Compatible with small, non-predatory reef fish. Do not house with predatory species such as hawkfish, dottybacks, large wrasses, or puffers, which will quickly prey on them. They can co-exist with clownfish hosting in the same anemone.
Aquarium Breeding: Spawns readily in captivity. Females carry a clutch of bright green eggs under their abdomen. The eggs hatch into planktonic larvae that are very fragile and difficult to rear. Raising them requires separate larval rearing tanks and cultures of microalgae and rotifers.
Risks and Diseases: Highly sensitive to copper-based treatments and other heavy metals, which are lethal. Acclimate slowly using the drip method to avoid salinity shock. During the molting period, the shrimp is soft and vulnerable, relying entirely on the host anemone's stinging tentacles for safety.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
Periclimenes brevicarpalis, commonly known as the peacock anemone shrimp or glass anemone shrimp, is widely distributed throughout the tropical Indo-West Pacific. Its range extends from the Red Sea and East Africa, across Indonesia and the Philippines, to northern Australia and southern Japan. It lives in commensal association with large sea anemones, such as Stichodactyla and Heteractis species, at depths of 1 to 30 meters.
Origem
Oceanos tropicais e recifesÁfrica e MadagascarSul e Sudeste AsiáticoLeste AsiáticoAustrália, Nova Guiné e Oceania
Perfil de invertebrados
- Dieta
- Omnivore
- Ancylocaris brevicarpalis is primarily an omnivorous scavenger that constantly forages for detritus, biofilm, and leftover food among the substrate. In captivity, their diet should be supplemented with high-quality sinking pellets, frozen mysis, and occasional vegetable matter. A diverse and rich diet ensures robust molting and brilliant coloration.
- Papel ecológico
- Symbiont
- Playing a critical role in the aquatic food web, Ancylocaris brevicarpalis acts as a macro-detritivore that breaks down organic materials. Their constant scavenging significantly reduces the accumulation of decaying matter, thereby improving overall water quality. In reef or planted tanks, they often act as meticulous cleaners of the aquascape.
- Tamanho adulto
- 4 cm
- Risco de salto
- Yes
- When startled by a sudden movement, bright light, or aggressive tank mate, Ancylocaris brevicarpalis possesses a powerful tail-flick reflex that can launch them entirely out of the water. This jumping behavior makes an unsecured aquarium a severe hazard. A tight-fitting lid or mesh top is absolutely mandatory to prevent them from becoming desiccated on the floor.
- Sensibilidade ao choque
- High
- Ancylocaris brevicarpalis is highly susceptible to osmotic shock caused by rapid shifts in specific gravity, temperature, and pH. Sudden changes can compromise their delicate osmoregulatory systems, often leading to immediate fatalities or failed molts. A diligent drip acclimation process taking at least one to two hours is vital for successful introductions.
- Cálcio e minerais
- Medium
- To successfully regenerate their chitinous exoskeleton during a molt, Ancylocaris brevicarpalis requires consistent availability of dissolved calcium, magnesium, and trace iodine. Poor mineral content in the water column can result in "white ring of death" or the inability to fully shed their old shell. Regular water changes and appropriate mineral supplementation are essential for their survival.
- Muda
- Regular
- Molting is the most precarious time in the life cycle of Ancylocaris brevicarpalis, during which it will hide until its new exoskeleton hardens. Aquarists will often find complete, transparent molts in the tank, which should be left in the water as the shrimp will consume it to reclaim lost minerals. Never disturb or force a shrimp out of hiding during this vulnerable phase.
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- Under optimal water conditions and with plenty of food, Ancylocaris brevicarpalis can readily breed in captivity. Females can often be seen carrying clutches of eggs (berried) beneath their pleopods until they hatch into miniature shrimp or planktonic larvae. Providing dense moss or hiding spaces greatly increases the survival rate of the offspring.
- Compatibilidade e companheiros de tanque
- Aggressive
- Ancylocaris brevicarpalis is best kept in dedicated invertebrate setups or alongside small, peaceful nano fish. They are at high risk of predation from cichlids, larger wrasses, hawkfish, and puffers, which will readily hunt them. When kept with appropriate tank mates, they will confidently display their active and engaging behaviors.
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