General Description

A translucent shrimp, marked with fine purple-red lines running along the hard upper shell (carapace) and more sparsely on the abdomen. Abdominal segments with indistinct transverse rows of red, olive and black spots The shortest of the three 'feelers' has definite red and white bars. Up to 4 cm long.

Biology

This species is one of the most common shallow water shrimp found in southern Australia. It is most commonly found on muddy soft sediments especially in the shelter of seagrasses. This species has been commonly referred to as Macrobrachium intermedium in the ecological literature but has since been placed in the genus Palaemon.

Distribution

Indo-west Pacific Oceans, including southern Australia.

Habitat

Seagrass and algae on muddy sediments, 0-22 m depth.

More Information