Scientific Name: Pontonides ankeri or Pontonides unciger (identification pending)
Common Name: Coral whip shrimp

Size: 1 – 2.5 cm
Depth Range: 10 – 35 m
Habitat: Exclusively found clinging to wire corals (Cirripathes spp.) in coral reef environments
Diet: Likely feeds on tiny plankton or mucus produced by its coral host
Reproduction: Separate sexes; females carry eggs under the abdomen
Fun Fact: Perfectly camouflaged and highly host-specific, this shrimp's color and body shape closely match the coral whip it lives on—making it nearly invisible to predators and divers alike.

Observation Tip: Scan long wire corals closely and slowly. These shrimps often align perfectly with the coral’s axis, making them incredibly hard to spot even when right in front of you!