Social Snapping Shrimp

Alpheus parasocialis

Systematics: Caridea Family Alpheidae

Distinguishing Characters:
The social snapping shrimp has one sculptured first cheliped with short fingers, a hood formed from the anterior part of the carapace over the eyes with sharp marginal spines, and an orange body. The cheliped is brown with zig-zag white bands. It grows to 35 mm long.

Habitat and Distribution:
The social snapping shrimp is often seen in small clusters of individuals under rocks in pools in the low intertidal and subtidal down to 30 m depth throughout southern Australia.

General Biology:
The social snapping shrimps lives communally under stones but little is known about their biology. It is one of the more commonly encountered species of the family Alpheidae. 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.