zoom_in Click to enlarge

Ghost Shrimp

▲ ▼

description Ghost Shrimp Overview

The ghost shrimp, Palaemonetes paludosus, is a small, nearly transparent freshwater crustacean native to the southeastern United States. Its clear body makes internal structures visible and provides camouflage in vegetated shallows. It is commonly kept in freshwater aquariums as a scavenger and is also sold as live food for larger fish, although it still requires suitable water quality and food.

help Ghost Shrimp FAQ

Is Palaemonetes paludosus a freshwater ghost shrimp?

Yes, Palaemonetes paludosus is the eastern grass shrimp, also called ghost shrimp or glass shrimp, and it is primarily freshwater. USGS says it lives in low-gradient freshwater habitats but can tolerate mildly brackish water. [USGS species profile](https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?speciesid=1207)

Where are ghost shrimp native?

Its native range follows the Atlantic coastal plain from southern New Jersey to Florida in the southeastern United States. It is often found among submerged vegetation, including grasses and water hyacinths. [USGS species profile](https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?speciesid=1207)

How big do Palaemonetes paludosus ghost shrimp get?

USGS lists the species at up to 50 mm total length, although aquarium specimens are often sold much smaller. Its translucent body can reveal the digestive tract, eggs, and other internal structures. [USGS identification details](https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?speciesid=1207)

What do ghost shrimp do in an aquarium?

They spend much of their time among plants and on the bottom, grazing on algae, detritus, and leftover food. They are small freshwater crustaceans, so larger or predatory fish may treat them as prey. [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Palaemonetes_paludosus/)

swap_horiz

Looking for Ghost Shrimp alternatives? Compare top competitors ranked & scored

arrow_forward