Group 9: Freshwater Shrimps

Estimated Time For Lesson: 3 minutes

ID Notes

Freshwater Shrimps can be seen swimming on their sides or upright.

Freshwater shrimps can be pink, orange, pale blue or grey in colour and they can swim on their sides.

Their bodies are curved and flattened side to side (laterally), a bit like a cashew
They have more than 3 pairs of legs, plus other appendages on the underside of their bodies that help them move and feed

Freshwater Shrimps can be found in most waterbodies but rarely in acidic waters.

Photo Credit: Dr Cyril Bennett MBE

They are omnivorous, eating algae, small animals and detritus.

If you see large shrimp with stripes these may be invasive - seek assistance to identify further.