Commensal and Derasa?

[TracyZeuner]

I tried to get a picture but he only comes out at night. I think it is some kinda commensal shrimp. It is about 1in in length and clear with little dark spots. Can this be harmful to the clam? I saw it last night and before I could get my camera, it slipped inside of the clam.

 

[mbbuna]

they are fine consider your self lucky

 

[TracyZeuner]

Thats what he looks like, more like the one on the bottom.
How come when it goes inside the clam, the clam doesn't shut and spit him out?

 

[mbbuna]

there commensal, that's where they live. the clam has probably had that shrimp with it for most of its life. i guess if you have something crawling around on you long enough you just get used to it.

what they do isn't really known but they don't appear to hurt the clam.