Transparent partner shrimp

Periclimenes scriptus

Occurring in

Mediterranean

5-80m

DayAndNightActive

potentially at risk

As its name suggests, this shrimp always lives in partnership — namely with the Golden anemone, they truly are an inseparable couple. If you want to find this little guy, you have to look very closely, because it is actually transparent and only 3cm big. Sometimes a light pink dot pattern adorns her body, but that doesn't really make it any easier to spot it.

Habitat

Rocky Reef

Special features

As its name suggests, this shrimp always lives in partnership — namely with the Golden anemone, they truly are an inseparable couple.

Durschsichtige_partnershrimp_periclimenes_scriptus_mediterranean_sea_diving_diving DiveDict

Appearance

If you want to find this little guy, you have to look very closely, because it is actually transparent and only 3cm big.

Sometimes a light pink dot pattern adorns her body, but that doesn't really make it any easier to spot it.

Natural enemies

Predatory fish

Dangerous/venomous

The transparent partner shrimp is neither dangerous nor venomous.

Sketch

Partnershrimp_periclimenes_scriptus_divedict_tacuhen_diving_mediterranean

1. Rostrum

2. Abdominal segments

3. Telson (tail fan)

Pro tips

As far as the Golden anemone is concerned, it is not clear what benefits it has from the partnership.

For shrimps, however, it seems to be incredibly important, because you won't find this guy on any other anemone and their protection against the nettles of the Golden anemone remains upright after molting and therefore appears to be innate.
By the way, this special shrimp has only been spotted in the Mediterranean so far.

Text: Carolina Leiter

Illustration: Dive Dict

Pic: Felician Hosp, Sabine Probst