Harlequin Shrimp

Harlequin Shrimp (Hymenocera Elegans)

The Harlequin shrimp is a strikingly beautiful animal related to the Bongo shrimp. It is a specialized predator and only eats starfish, including Asterina stars, but also larger species such as linkia, chocolate chip and sand sifting species. Females are larger and have spots under their tails which males do not. Its claws are designed for flipping over starfish, and when a large starfish is chosen the shrimp will attempt to keep it alive as long as possible while it is eaten.