Coral-shrimp

Guides

  • Stenopodidae

    Coral Shrimps, Boxer Shrimp

    Stenopodidae is a family of marine decapod crustaceans comprising approximately 6 genera and more than 30 described extant species. The family has a fossil record extending to the Devonian period. Members are commonly known as coral shrimps or boxer shrimp and are distinguished from true shrimp and prawns by morphological and phylogenetic affinities closer to reptant decapods such as lobsters and crabs. The family exhibits diverse ecological associations including fish cleaning symbioses, commensalism with deep-water corals, and obligate associations with hexactinellid sponges.