Fat-Handed Snapping Shrimp

Synalpheus tumidomanus

Systematics: Caridea Family Alpheidae

Distinguishing Characters:
The fat-handed snapping shrimp is small, 25 mm long, shiny green, and with a barrel-shaped large cheliped ending in small fingers.

Habitat and Distribution:
The species lives in the debris at the bases of large algae, corals and sponges down to 60 m depth throughout Australia.

General Biology:
The fat-handed snapping shrimp is one of the more commonly collected snapping shrimps on offshore reefs, often occurring in pairs. The fingers at the end of the larger claw are used to make a loud snapping noise to stun prey.

Feedback and queries should be sent to the Discovery Centre at Museum Victoria.
Please note, the Discovery Centre can help you only with questions about crustaceans from southeastern Australia. It can not advise on the care of pet hermit crabs or on crustaceans from other regions.