Sexy Shrimp

ID points

• A few large white patches edged in blue on a brown ground
• Abdomen held high and waved constantly from side to side
• Lives on anemones or mushroom coral

Basics

Family

Thoridae

Length

1–2 cm

Depth

1-30 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs

Distribution

Coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific

Habitat

On anemones and mushroom coral

Diet

Detritus and anemone mucus

Easily confused with

Signal GobyEach of the two dorsal fins carries a large eyespot, together like a faceHarlequin ShrimpLarge purple-red blotches edged in dark on a creamy white groundMudskipperTwo eyes bulge from the top of the head and swivel independently

Fun fact

It earned its name from the way it waves its abdomen up and down without ever stopping. It lives among anemones and corals, and it is tiny, only about 1 centimetre long.