There is almost always one person at a party so fabulously overdressed that they either steal the spotlight or border on being “too much”. On the rocky shores of the Andaman Islands, that flamboyant guest is the Marbled Shrimp (Saron marmoratus).
With its carapace covered in kaleidoscopic geometric patterns and its legs seemingly wrapped in brightly striped socks, this shrimp isn’t just party ready. It is the party!
Surprisingly, this flashy outfit is actually meant for blending in with the colorful and complex textures of surrounding corals, sponges, and coralline algae during the day. At night, this shrimp pulls off a complete costume change and shifts its colour to a dark red. Because red light is hard to see underwater, this night shift turns the shrimp partially invisible in the dark when it is out to feed, keeping it safe from predators.
Text by Shripad Goenka