Carapace may appear translucent with red/pink vertical and/or horizontal stripes with white accenting. Short pointed rostrum with 4-5 upper teeth and 3-5 lower teeth. Second carapace segment overlaps first and third. First two pairs of walking legs end in pincers. Second pair of walking legs elongate.
Average Maximum Size:
6.5 cm (2.5 in)
Adults Distinguishing Characteristics:
Peppermint Shrimp can be distinguished from Grass Shrimp by their pink/red body striping and fewer teeth on the upper side of their rostrum (the Grass Shrimp has 7-10 rostrum teeth). Local River Prawn species may exhibit a spotted pattern in contrast to the Peppermint Shrimp which has a striped one and may additionally possess small spines at both sides of the rostrum’s base on the head (hepatic and supraorbital spines).
Juveniles Distinguishing Characteristics:
Range:
New York to Gulf of Mexico
Habitat:
Found in coastal waters around reefs and submerged vegetation.
