Sand shrimps

Introduction: Sand shrimps (Palaemon peringueyi) belong to the group Caridae, are not suited to swimming and are bottom-dwelling prawns (benthic). Their front legs are armed with thin nippers decorated with yellow spots at the joints. Their rostrum (beak-like feature set between the eyes) is armed with jagged saw-like teeth. They are around 25mm in size and live in shallow areas with a sandy bottom or in intertidal pools.

Distribution: along the Namibian coast from the mouth of the Orange River north to Sandwich Harbour, Walvis Bay and Swakopmund

Food source: small particles of dead animals

Size: 25mm