Skeleton shrimps, sometimes known as ghost shrimps (Family: Caprellidae) have slender bodies which allow them to virtually disappear among the fine filaments of seaweed. Aggressive encounters between individuals are common; they grapple each other with their enlarged claw-like appendages known as gnathopods which are held in a praying mantis-like way. They also use these to grab particles of food from the passing water as well as ambushing prey. Their other appendages are smaller and used for clasping objects that these animals fast themselves upon. During a recent dive at Crayfish Point near Hobart, Tasmania we observed seaweed stands completely covered in these tiny Caprellids. #skeletonshrimp #amphipod #ghostshrimp #supermacro #underwater #temperatereef #kelpforest #DiscoverTasmania #TassieStyle #Australia #Instatassie #tassiepics #Tasmania #seeAustralia #Australiagram #ig_australia #marinebiology #marinescience #underwatermacro #macrogram (at Crayfish Point)
