Vir philippinensis
Encounter Rate
Spotting Difficulty
Best Season
Year-round
Depth Range
5-30 meters
The bubble coral shrimp is one of Komodo's most delightful tiny crustacean finds — a virtually transparent shrimp that lives exclusively among the inflated vesicles of bubble coral. At barely 2 centimetres in length, this nearly invisible shrimp has evolved to match its host so perfectly that only its eyes and a few internal organs are visible through its glass-clear body. In Komodo, bubble coral shrimp are found wherever healthy Plerogyra sinuosa bubble coral colonies grow, typically at moderate depths on reef walls and slopes. They live in pairs among the grape-like bubbles of their coral host, feeding on mucous produced by the coral and on tiny organic particles that settle on the bubble surfaces. Finding them requires careful examination of bubble coral colonies — a task made more challenging by their near-total transparency. Once spotted, however, they are cooperative subjects that rarely flee, remaining among the bubbles where they feel protected. For macro photographers, the combination of the shrimp's crystal clarity and the smooth, translucent coral bubbles creates an ethereal, almost otherworldly composition that is unique to bubble coral ecosystems.
Average Size
1-1.5cm
Size Range
0.5-2cm
Maximum Size
2cm
Feeds on coral mucous produced by its bubble coral host and on tiny organic particles that settle on the coral's surface.
The bubble coral shrimp is one of Komodo's most delightful tiny crustacean finds — a virtually transparent shrimp that lives exclusively among the inflated vesicles of bubble coral. At barely 2 centimetres in length, this nearly invisible shrimp has evolved to match its host so perfectly that only its eyes and a few internal organs are visible through its glass-clear body. In Komodo, bubble coral shrimp are found wherever healthy Plerogyra sinuosa bubble coral colonies grow, typically at moderate depths on reef walls and slopes. They live in pairs among the grape-like bubbles of their coral host, feeding on mucous produced by the coral and on tiny organic particles that settle on the bubble surfaces. Finding them requires careful examination of bubble coral colonies — a task made more challenging by their near-total transparency. Once spotted, however, they are cooperative subjects that rarely flee, remaining among the bubbles where they feel protected. For macro photographers, the combination of the shrimp's crystal clarity and the smooth, translucent coral bubbles creates an ethereal, almost otherworldly composition that is unique to bubble coral ecosystems.
This species plays an important role in the marine ecosystem of Komodo National Park. Responsible diving practices help protect these animals and their habitat for future generations.
No encounters shared yet
Be the first to share your sighting of this species!
Look very carefully at bubble coral colonies for tiny pairs of eyes — they are often the only visible feature. Your guide will know which coral heads to check and can point them out with a gentle light.
