Periclimenes colemani
Encounter Rate
Spotting Difficulty
Best Season
Year-round
Depth Range
5-35 meters
The Coleman shrimp is one of the most extraordinary examples of symbiotic relationships in Komodo's waters — a tiny, stunningly patterned shrimp that lives exclusively on the venomous fire urchin. Reaching just 2 centimetres in length, Coleman shrimp are always found in pairs nestled among the toxic spines of the variable fire urchin (Asthenosoma varium), one of the most painful-to-touch echinoderms on the reef. The shrimp clears a small patch of the urchin's venomous spines and pedicellariae to create a living platform, feeding on the urchin's tube feet and tissue while gaining protection from predators that dare not approach the toxic host. Coleman shrimp feature a striking colour pattern of white or cream with bold reddish-purple patches that provides some camouflage among the urchin's colourful spines. In Komodo, finding a pair of Coleman shrimp on a fire urchin is a prized macro sighting that requires both a knowledgeable guide and careful observation. They are a perfect example of how Komodo's smallest inhabitants can be among its most fascinating.
Average Size
1-1.5cm
Size Range
0.5-2cm
Maximum Size
2cm
Feeds on the tube feet and tissue of its fire urchin host. Clears a patch of the urchin's spines and pedicellariae to create a living space and food source.
The Coleman shrimp is one of the most extraordinary examples of symbiotic relationships in Komodo's waters — a tiny, stunningly patterned shrimp that lives exclusively on the venomous fire urchin. Reaching just 2 centimetres in length, Coleman shrimp are always found in pairs nestled among the toxic spines of the variable fire urchin (Asthenosoma varium), one of the most painful-to-touch echinoderms on the reef. The shrimp clears a small patch of the urchin's venomous spines and pedicellariae to create a living platform, feeding on the urchin's tube feet and tissue while gaining protection from predators that dare not approach the toxic host. Coleman shrimp feature a striking colour pattern of white or cream with bold reddish-purple patches that provides some camouflage among the urchin's colourful spines. In Komodo, finding a pair of Coleman shrimp on a fire urchin is a prized macro sighting that requires both a knowledgeable guide and careful observation. They are a perfect example of how Komodo's smallest inhabitants can be among its most fascinating.
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.
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They are immune to the fire urchin's venom and actively clear a patch of spines to create their living space. The urchin's toxicity protects the shrimp from virtually all predators, making it an ideal home despite the cost of lost tissue.
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