
Harlequin Shrimp, Koh Haa Thailand – image © Chris Mitchell
Along with the clown triggerfish and the peacock mantis shrimp, harlequin shrimp are one of the most preposterous and wonderful creatures to encounter underwater. The harlequin shrimp’s full blown 70s disco livery is a joy to behold, and its cuteness only slightly tempered by the fact that harlequin shrimp like to feast on starfish while they’re still alive. They’re also notoriously shy, so this shot – taken with a Canon compact camera which was small enough to manoeuvre into the recesses of the harlequin shrimp’s lair – was doubly pleasing to get. The tiny uninhabited island of Koh Haa is a haven of marine life in the middle of the ocean, a couple hours boat trip from Koh Lanta and a staple of southern Thailand liveaboards. (Koh Haa, 2008)