briefing regarding shrimp and gopi!!

[amrala]

hi there,

can u please give me some briefing regarding the pict attached i think its a gopi and shrimp is it right?

cheers
amr

[Leslie Harris]

Hi Amr --

That would be Alpheus djeddensis & Ctenogobiops crocineus. Certain members of the shrimp genus Alpheus live in association with certain gobies in a variety of genera. sometimes it's a one-to-one association, sometimes a shrimp species (like Alpheus randalli) will accept gobies of many different species.

The shrimp usually live in mated pairs. They spend their lives digging out & maintaining their burrows which can be extensive branching tunnels. The gobies present themselves at the opening of the burrows. The shrimp will either accept them or chase them away and eventually gain a mated pair of gobies. Associated species have evolved a whole vocabulary of movement to warn their partners of safety, danger, food, etc. During the day the fish forage for food while the shrimp maintain the burrow; some gobies even bring food back for the shrimp. At dusk the gobies go into the burrows, the shrimp go in & close off the opening, and they spend the night in safety. At dawn the shrimp opens up the burrow. It's a fascinating partnership.

[Trace]

Leslie,
What a great response! I knew they cooperated, housing, warning, etc., but I had no idea how much. Really interesting.
Trace