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Pistol Shrimp
(Alpheus digitalis)
Found all over the world.
Ranges from 3 - 5cm (1.2 - 2.0in) long.
Feeds on tiny Invertebrates and Algae.
Lives for around 2 - 5 years.
Pistol Shrimp get their name from their unique ability to fire "underwater bullets". It snaps its large claw with such force and such speed it creates a cavitation bubble that reaches 90km/h (56mph) and is capable of killing small fish, stunning larger ones, and even shattering small glass jars! If the snapping claw is lost, the other claw can grow into a new snapping claw!
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