Habitat: This species can be found along with sponge species such as Speheciospongia vesparia, in algae and in crevices of coral. Distribution: Alpheus vanderbilti is not very common, but has been reported in the Caribbean, in Brazil and in the Gulf of Guinea. Natural History Notes: Alpheus vanderbilti is closely related to another Alpheus species called A. cylindricus. There were thought to be the same species since it is not possible to distinguish them morphologically. However, they could be separated using DNA analyses. Depth: This shrimp species can be found at different depth ranges. In the western Atlantic, it can be found in the intertidal to 87 m; in the eastern Atlantic, it is found I the subtidal from 3 to 20 m. Characteristics: Alpheus vanderbilti has a body length of up to 30 mm.