General Description

Rostrum clearly longer and slightly narrower than orbital processes, not depressed, without ridge running on to carapace; very shallow grooves between. Orbitorostral process present. Large claw (chela) swollen, upper margin of sixth segment (propodus) ending in variable projection. Small claw (chela) fingers simple, each with simple apex. Fourth segment (merus) of third leg (pereopod 3) without spiniform setae on lower margin, no distal tooth; last segment (dactylus) with 2 distal claws, upper one longer than lower. Tailfan (telson) with stout dorsolateral spiniform setae. Maxilliped 3 with circlet of short apical spiniform setae and setae on inner face of terminal article. Up to 2.5 cm long.

Biology

The species is often found in male-female pairs and sometimes in larger numbers inside sponges. The fingers at the end of the larger claw are used to make a loud snapping noise to stun prey. Some species of Synalpheus are reported to have a simple sort of social behaviour and have been likened in this way to bees and ants.

Habitat

In algae, coral and sponges, to 150 m depth.

Reefs

Soft substrates

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Circum-Australian and Indo-Pacific Oceans.

Species Group

Prawns, shrimps, lobsters › Shrimps

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

25 mm

Diet

Organic matter

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Species Code

MoV 1673

Conservation Status

• DSE Advisory List : Not listed
• EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
• IUCN Red List : Not listed