Body may appear between white, green, blue, gray, and/or translucent with a carapace speckled with tiny light blue or brown dots. Small spines may be observed on both sides of the rostrum's base on the head (hepatic and supraorbital spines). The shrimp’s first pair of walking legs are elongate and have pincers on the ends. The second carapace segment overlaps first and third segments.
Average Maximum Size:
10 cm ( 4 in)
Adults Distinguishing Characteristics:
River Prawn species can be distinguished from the Grass Shrimp and Peppermint Shrimp by differences in body patterning. Local River Prawn species may exhibit a spotted pattern in contrast to the Peppermint Shrimp which has a striped one and the Grass Shrimp which has no body patterning. Local River Prawn species can be further distinguished by the occasional presence of small spines at both sides of the rostrum’s base on the head (hepatic and supraorbital spines).
Juveniles Distinguishing Characteristics:
Range:
The Ohio freshwater shrimp was originally found in the Ohio River in Ohio down to Texas. They can now be found along the east coast from Virginia down to Northern Florida.
Habitat:
Found in fresh and brackish waters. They prefer detritus-dense waters with submerged vegetation and low flow rates. Adults migrate downstream and spawn in estuaries. Juveniles migrate back upstream into freshwater.
