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A day in the life of the Hingebeak Shrimp - a.k.a the "Ocean Manicurists"

4/19/2014

Ranging from 1-5 cm in length, these small social groomers like to hang out in large groups (up to 100) under the coral reef ledges and overhangs of the Indo-Pacific.

Part of the decapod crustacean subphylum-- they are the Rhynchocinetes durbanensis, also known as the Hingebeak Durbanensis Shrimp.

Image credit: Fiona Ayerst

The derived family name of these shrimps (Rhynchocinetidae) means ‘movable beaks’--- indicating their beak like rostrum that can bend. This rostrum can also be used for attack or defense from predators if need be.

Image credit: Fiona Ayerst

Although their diet mainly consists of small crustaceans, fine algae and carrion – the Hingebeak Durbanensis are specifically known for their diligent cleaning habits and symbiotic relationships with various fish.

The Hingebeaks (along with other types of shrimp) have antennae, which have sensors on them that allow the animals to “smell”, “taste” and feel where they touch. Typically, long antennae help the shrimps orientate themselves regarding immediate surroundings-- while shorter antennae help judge what is and is not prey.

Lionfish

Mantis Shrimp (Image credit: Levi, Guinjata Dive Centre)

Solefish

Scorpionfish

There are some fish the Durbanensis do steer clear from-- such as lion fish, solefish, mantis shrimp, and scorpionfish (due to being the shrimps natural predators.)

Image credit: Kim Vu

The Hingebeaks “job” in the ocean is to reside at natural 'cleaning stations', to help keep rid of dead skin and parasites off of their “friends” while gaining nutritional value from the parasites. There was a rumor that sometimes they even take on humans as their clients... So on the next dive, I decided to see for myself.

After arriving at a dive site called Levi’s Ledge (with courtesy of Guinjata Bay Diving Centre) I was shown one of these 'cleaning stations' where the shrimps typically reside.

I completely emptied out all of the air in my BCD and laid on the ocean floor, right next to the overhang where the shrimps were. I noticed that the more movement I made, the more wary the shrimps were of my presence. I began to slow my breath much more than before (never holding my breath, of course - Scuba Diving 101) and lay as still as possible (given the surge and ocean currents).

Image credit: Fiona Ayerst

The first shrimp to climb on my hand had initially felt my fingers with her antennae for a few minutes to make sure I was a safe customer. Once one decided to climb on and begin cleaning my cuticles, the others slowly made their way on my hand as well. It was amazing to interact with these little ‘ocean maids’, and to feel their miniature claws, as they worked so hard at tearing away any dead skin.

Image credit: Fiona Ayerst

With some patience, a few of us even dared to get our mouths “cleaned” as well.

Image credit: Cullen Welch, Matt Dobson

The video below created by Martin Totland, shows a Yellow-mouth Moray Eel's relationship with these shrimps at the 2:30 mark and again with one of our groups members interaction at the 2:50 mark.

Male Hingebeaks have much larger claws than the females, and most of the shrimp which cleaned our hands were in fact female. I realized this only when I spotted one with claws larger than his eyes.

Male Hingebeak to the right (Image credit: Fiona Ayerst)

The Hingebeaks eyes are some of the coolest I have ever encountered. Their eyes are located on the tips of two stalks coming from the head, with pupils appearing as if they are made of geometric shapes.

Image credit: Kim Vu

Most prawns, as well as the Hingebeaks, have panoramic vision and compound eyes-- which are very good at detecting any movement. The term 'compound eye' means that the eye itself contains thousands of individual receptors and a single image is broken up into a combination of inputs. Each input is located on a convex surface and points in a slightly different direction. Compared to our eyes, a shrimp’s eye can detect fast movement and possesses a very large angle of view.

Image credit: Kim Vu

Hope you enjoyed this post on these teeny ocean maids!
Now go do some diving.

***I do not claim to be an expert on these minute beings, and all information provided is derived from either personal experience, shared knowledge from others and/or web research.

References:

http://www.nausicaa.co.uk/durban-hinge-beak-shrimp.html

http://decapoda.nhm.org/pdfs/26334/26334-001.pdf

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+525+690&pcatid=690

http://therightblue.blogspot.com/2009/09/stalking-wily-night-critters-hinge-beak.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrimp

http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2008/05/24/the-superior-eyes-of-shrimp/

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Guinjata Bay, Mozambique - Introduction

8/2/2013

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I've realized that every time I travel to an unfamiliar location, my perspective of the world warps and changes.

Africa, the Underwater Photography Internship led by Fiona Ayerst with the help of Shalini Tewari and Martin Totland, all of the people I've encountered on this internship, and just scuba diving in general has changed every previous plan I had lined up in my life. I soon began to realize that scuba diving isn't just a sport-- it's a lifestyle.

Arriving at Mozambique's Guinjata Dive Centre, shortly after obtaining my Open Water certification back in Michigan, I was immediately amazed at how connected I felt with nature and it's beings. I forgot how wonderful the ocean breeze felt, the soothing rise of the sand between your toes, and the sound of the waves forming a familiar lullaby when lying down to sleep at night. The exhilarating feeling is a wonder all on its own when it comes to being in close proximity with other wild beings in the water (from Whales, Bottlenose Dolphins, Sharks, Manta Rays to the smallest of Eels, Crabs, Shrimps and Seahorses.)

An example of such an encounter, with photo credit to James (Matt) Dobson, for capturing the very fortunate event of encountering a Humpback Whale while on our safety stop.

The songs of these beings are so peaceful and beautiful, and can sometimes be so loud that you feel yourself shake with their bellows.

There are also so many things I realized that I just did not need, here in Mozambique and in life.

Shoes and socks are unnecessary items and are a rarity when living on the beach. The same clothes from yesterday are acceptable to be worn days in a row and when the washer is out of commission (also to save on money), laundry is done by hand ourselves.

Being away from familiar comforts also makes one appreciate the little things—such as hot showers, water, electricity and internet. There have been times where the power just did not work, the water did not run and the propane/gas was out (to give us hot water.)

Each night we must sleep under the protection of mosquito netting, since Malaria is a present concern here and can become a serious health hazard if left untreated. Other possible concerns would be snakes, such as Black Mambas and even a Python (which was spotted prior to our groups arrival in July)—however, all of us have been lucky enough not to encounter either!

Just living here in Mozambique for a month, diving, watching the sun rise and set every day has changed my whole life's course-- and I am beyond ecstatic about that. Every morning I feel so motivated to be in the ocean, observing its creatures and feeling the power of its currents and surges. Every day I feel like I’m learning and discovering new things that I never knew existed before-- even riding out to our dive spot of the day right before a dive has become such a freeing feeling. I was told that scuba diving would be a transformational experience and it truly has been.

From here on out I feel like I can only move forward-- which has led me to initiate my Dive Masters training and to the beginning of my continuous life journey in scuba diving.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for future posts :)

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A day in the life of the Hingebeak Shrimp - a.k.a the "Ocean Manicurists"

Guinjata Bay, Mozambique - Introduction

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