Emperor shrimp (Periclimenes imperator)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Periclimenes imperator
- Common name
- Emperor shrimp
- Category
- Crustaceans
- Family
- Palaemonidae
- Genus
- Periclimenes
- Size
- 2–3 cm
- Depth
- 5–40 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- sand, coral-reef
- Behaviours
- symbiotic, cryptic
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Periclimenes imperator reaches 3 cm. Tiny shrimp with bright red-orange body with transverse white stripes, long thin white-purple legs and antennae. Lives commensally on large sea cucumbers (Bohadschia, Stichopus), nudibranchs (notably Hexabranchus sanguineus Spanish dancer), and sometimes sea stars. Lives from 5 to 40 m on coral reefs of Indo-Pacific. Listed LC. Roams host picking up food particles. Iconic sought-after macro subject by photographers.
Photo of Emperor shrimp
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Emperor shrimp?
- Emperor shrimp (Periclimenes imperator) reaches 2–3 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Emperor shrimp?
- Emperor shrimp is found between 5–40 m deep.
- Is the Emperor shrimp dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Emperor shrimp?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Emperor shrimp?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Periclimenes
- Periclimenes yucatanicus - Spotted cleaner shrimp
- Periclimenes amethysteus - Amethyst shrimp
- Periclimenes scriptus - Inscribed shrimp
Other species in the family Palaemonidae
- Ancylomenes pedersoni - Pederson's cleaner shrimp
- Hymenocera picta - Harlequin shrimp
- Palaemon elegans - Rockpool prawn
- Phyllognathia ceratophthalma - Indo-Pacific Mandarin Shrimp
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 210576)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2225177)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia