Ryan Photographic - Hippolytidae - Broken-back shrimps
Family Hippolytidae
There are currently 102 species of hippolytid shrimps in nine genera.
Recent genetic studies have raised several former members of the Hippolytidae to full family rank. These include the Lysmatidae and the Thoridae.
The family Hippolytidae - sometimes known as broken-back shrimps, exhibit a wide range of both behavior and appearance. Some species live in anchialine environments - land-locked bodies of water with access to the sea. In Fiji, one of these species is considered sacred, or at least special, and there is substantial folk-lore about the shrimp.
Other hippolytids include the Tozeuma shrimp. These elongated beasties live in seagrass beds, as commensals on various cnidarians, particularly seawhips.
Red cave shrimp
Parhippolyte uveae Red cave shrimp, Vatulele Island, Fiji whole animal 094
Parhippolyte uveae Red cave shrimp, Vatulele Island, angled whole animal Fiji img 119
Parhippolyte uveae Red cave shrimp, Vatulele Island, Fiji img 088
Parhippolyte uveae Red cave shrimp, Vatulele Island, Fiji img 092
Tozeuma armatus Banded Tozeuma Shrimp
, Kri Eco, Raja Ampat IMG_7846 med res.jpg)
Tozeuma armatus Banded Tozeuma Shrimp, Raja Ampat IMG_7846
 Kri Eco, Raja Ampat IMG_7864 med res.jpg)
Tozeuma armatus Banded Tozeuma shrimp, Kri Eco, Raja Ampat IMG_7864
 Kri Eco, Raja Ampat IMG_7868 med res.jpg)
Tozeuma armatus Banded Tozeuma shrimp, Kri Eco, Raja Ampat IMG_7868
Tozeuma lanceolatum Ocellated Tozeuma shrimp
, Magic Bay Rao, Morotai P7141421 med res.jpg)
Tozeuma lanceolatum Ocellated Tozeuma shrimp, Magic Bay Rao, Morotai P7141421. Photographically not up to my usual standard but included for now until I get a better shot!
Tozeuma sp.
Tozeuma sp., Kri Eco, Raja Ampat