Marosina serratirostris (de Man, 1892) ‒ Common Chameleon Shrimp [banded form]

Species Account

A small euryhaline species with a wide distribution in the Central Indo-West Pacific from Malaysia and Japan to the Solomons,  Fiji and northeast Queensland, Australia. Adults are found in lowland fresh waters and brackish water. In fresh water, it typically occurs in lowland rainforest streams where it is found in submerged root mats of riparian vegetation or in leaf litter. Rostrum short and straight with numerous teeth on the dorsal margin including at least 6 postorbital teeth; antennal spine distinct from lower orbital margin of carapace; stylocerite long, reaching end of first segment of antennular peduncle. Like other Chameleon Shrimps of the "serratirostris" species group it occurs in two colour forms: a striped form with a broad white dorsal stripe and the banded form with transverse bands on the abdomen. Eggs small (0.4 mm) and numerous. Length to 25 mm. Formerly known as Caridina serratirostris. Sold in the aquarium industry as the Ninja Shrimp or Ninja Chameleon Shrimp. — John W. Short, 2026

Image

Banded form from Carmoo Creek near Mission Beach, northeast Queensland, Australia, John W. Short, June 1997, Photographed by John W. Short.