Japanese Dragon Shrimp
Anachlorocurtis commensalis
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Subphylum
- Crustacea
- Class
- Malacostraca
- Order
- Decapoda
- Family
- Chlorotocellidae
- Genus
- Anachlorocurtis
- Species
- Anachlorocurtis commensalis
The Japanese dragon shrimp (Anachlorocurtis commensalis) is a slender, spiny shrimp that lives on black corals and whip corals. Its long, thin body is covered with small projections and often coloured to match its host.
It grows to about 2-3 cm and was first described from Japan. It clings to the stem of its host and feeds on particles and mucus, relying on its colour and shape to blend in with the coral's polyps.
In the Philippines this shrimp is found on whip corals and black corals on deeper slopes. It is a close relative of the dragon shrimp, and both are prized finds for macro photographers.