Identify these critters!

[red_infinity]

This photo was taken at Butterfly Beach in Montecito (Santa Barbara). I took a photo of what I *thought* was just the rock crab - but there is something else in the photo. Can you spot them?

 

[JMdiver]

Those are cleaner shrimp if I'm not mistaken. Usually found in cervices & they clean morays.

John

 

[ICY ICE]

Here's another picture of the same shrimp and a moray
http://www.valleyscuba.com/forum/gallery/data/507/California_Moray_-_Gymnothorax_mordax1.jpg

http://www.valleyscuba.com/forum/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=395

 

[azcaddman]

looks like Lysmata wurdemanni (pepermint cleaner shrimp to those who have reef aquariums)

 

[archman]

Yeah, the *prototype* for true Lysmata cleaner shrimps.

 

[drbill]

Heck, I was out diving all day so I got beaten to the punch... although we call them red rock cleaner shrimp, but what's in a common name?

 

[red_infinity]

Ah interesting. I did not know we had cleaner shrimp. Thanks.

 

[archman]

This species doesn't really clean. It sort of fools around with the idea, getting moral support from all the friends it likes to cluster with. Eventually a few more clever members speciated into true cleaning Lysmata, and ditched the crowd scene.