Harlequin Shrimp

ID points

• Large purple-red blotches edged in dark on a creamy white ground
• Claws flat and broad like flower petals
• Always found in pairs, feeding only on starfish

Basics

Family

Palaemonidae

Length

3–5 cm

Depth

1-30 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs

Distribution

Coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific

Diet

Tube feet of starfish

Easily confused with

Porcelain CrabPurple-red round spots spread evenly over a white groundSexy ShrimpA few large white patches edged in blue on a brown groundSignal GobyEach of the two dorsal fins carries a large eyespot, together like a face

Fun fact

Boldly marked in brown and purple on a white ground, it is the only shrimp known to feed mainly on sea stars. It flips its victim over, pins it down and eats it slowly.