Common name
Sand Shrimp, Grey Sand Shrimp
Scientific name
Crangon septemspinosa
Description
This shrimp is a sand-like colour, creating an excellent camouflage for walking along the bottom of an estuary or in sandy tide pools at low tide. Its colour is almost translucent to opaque with an olive greenish tint, mottled with brown or black. This species is approximately 4-7cm in length. The sand shrimp has no rostrum (i.e. it lacks a pointed, sword-shaped or toothed snout) and its eyes are spread apart. Sand shrimp are characterized by their flat body and single pair of claws with a hook-like shape.
Geographic Range
Sand shrimp are common to estuaries and coastal habitats along the Atlantic coast.
Habitat
The sand shrimp is found on sandy bottoms and eel grass, from tide pools to shallow water.
Diet
Sand shrimp often burrow into the sand during the day and feed at night on benthic invertebrates (crustaceans and copepods), organic detritus, plant material and larval fish.
Above (a) is a photo of a Sand Shrimp provided by the Centre for Marine Biodiversity. To visit this site click on the above image. Notice the Sand Shrimp's eggs in the upper left corner (b).
Additional Websites
- The Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary offers additional images of Sand Shrimp.
- The Biological Bulletin features an article that discusses the feeding habits of Sand Shrimp.
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