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| lobsters text index | photo index |
| Phylum Arthropoda > Subphylum Crustacea > Class Malacostraca > Order Decapoda > Lobsters |
| Coral
ghost shrimp Glypturus sp. Family Callianassidae updated Oct 08 Where seen? The smooth burrow of this large, brightly coloured animal is sometimes seen in coral rubble areas on our Southern shores. But animal itself is seldom seen out in the open. Often, all you might glimpse is just the tip of a bright orange claw in the distinctive burrow. At night, however, you may spot one near the burrow entrance as it does some housekeeping, or even wandering about outside. Features: 4-6cm long. The ghost shrimp has very large sturdy pincers, one is often larger than the other. It can dig a long, smooth sided burrow in solid coral rubble. The burrow looks like a PVC pipe! It is still not known how the little creature can achieve this feat. Coral ghost shrimp food: Most ghost shrimps species eat detritus and bacteria or on decaying seagrass and seaweeds. Human uses: In Australia, some species are caught by fishermen and used as bait. Status and threats: Our coral ghost shrimps are not listed among the endangered animals of Singapore. However, like other creatures of the intertidal zone, they are affected by human activities such as reclamation and pollution. Trampling by careless visitors also have an impact on local populations. |
 Sentosa, May 04  Cleaning out the burrow? Sentosa, May 04 |
 Burrow is smooth and looks like a PVC pipe. Pulau Hantu, Aug 03 |
 A ghost shrimp out of its burrow? Sister Island, Jul 04 |
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Coral ghost shrimps on Singapore shores
 Pulau Hantu, Jun 08 |
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References
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IKAN-Unterwasserachiv, Frankfurt. 321 pp.|
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