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Pistol shrimp. These animals (Alpheus and Synalpheus) have well-developed pincers, one much larger than the other. By some means that is not well understood, the pistol or snapping shrimp is able to create an audible clicking sound with its large claw.

Some of the blind or near-blind pistol shrimp have developed interesting relationships with small gobies. In lagoons and on sandy patches around the reef you can see these small fish sitting up on their fins outside a small burrow. Next to the fish will be one or more pistol shrimps. The shrimps rely on the gobies, with which they keep in contact by their long antennae, to warn them of the approach of any danger. The gobies benefit from this relationship by having a safe burrow dug for them.

Crabs

Many species of crabs live on Indonesian reefs, but they are not always easy to find. Crabs would soon be eaten by strong-jawed fish such as wrasses if they ventured out boldly by day. Many species are therefore only seen at night when they come out under the cover of darkness to feed. If you look closely at a well-protected coral thicket, however, you will likely see a few small crabs safely wedged in.