Reticulated Hinge Beak Shrimp- Facts and Photographs

Reticulated Hinge-beak Shrimp (Cinetorhynchus reticulatus) also known as the Green-eye Dancing Shrimp

The Reticulated Hinge-beak Shrimp (Cinetorhynchus reticulatus) is also known as the Green-eye Dancing Shrimp.  They are fairly rare in Tanzanian waters and are nocturnal feeders found in deeper waters.

Reticulated Hinge-beak Shrimp (Cinetorhynchus reticulatus) also known as the Green-eye Dancing Shrimp

APPEARANCE

They has a humped body with a whitish background colour with alternating red and white bands across the top of the body. The sides of the body below the bands are white with red splotches. The legs have alternating white and red lines across them.  As can be seen in the images, the eyes are stalked and are predominantly green in colour with black marks. The rostrum or beakwhich protrudes forward is red and white and as their name implies is capable of being moved. They grow up to 6 cm in length. In the light of the strobes parts of the body appear iridescent from the reflection. They are attractive looking shrimp, particularly under bright light.

Reticulated Hinge-beak Shrimp (Cinetorhynchus reticulatus) also known as the Green-eye Dancing Shrimp

RETICULATED HINGE BEAK SHRIMP IN THE WILD

We have only seen the Reticulated Hinge-beak Shrimp at depths of 21 to 25 meters on steep outer reef walls. Their depth range is reported to be between 15 to 30 meters.  They are nocturnal feeders and we have only seen them out after dark. During the day they hide in caves or crevices. They are usually in small groups with twenty to thirty being present in a small area.

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HABITAT

The Reticulated Hinge-beak Shrimp are found on coral and rocky reefs from the East African coast across to the Marqueseas Islands, northward to Hachijo-jima Island in Southern Japan.

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DIET

This is an omnivore and little seems known of its diet. In all probability it is a wide ranging diet.

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REPRODUCTION

In the Rhynchocinetidae family the males are larger and better armed than the females. Males will actively fight over females and females prefer larger males. The females carry the eggs under the carpace  before they hatch.

AQUARIUMS

Reticulated Hinge-beak Shrimp  are not commonly kept in aquariums although the reason for this is uncertain. They are attractive looking shrimp and presumably may nip on some corals and anemones.

RETICULATED HINGE BEAK SHRIMP CLASSIFICATION

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Infraorder:Caridea
Family: Rhynchocinetidae
Genus: Cinetorhynchus
Species: C. reticulatus

LITERATURE CITED

EQUIPMENT USED