Blogs By Kids: All About the California Freshwater Shrimp
- Lyla, California, Age 12
- May 26
- 2 min read
What are California Freshwater Shrimp?
California freshwater shrimp are a species of ten-legged shrimp found near coastal areas with lots of shrubbery and clay banks. They thrive off of small plants or shrubs, fecal matter, algae, or other smaller crustaceans. Males are mostly transparent, with females being a shade of brown with a white stripe on their backs!
How did California Freshwater Shrimp Get Their Name?
Discovered by Dr. Samuel Holmes in 1895, California freshwater shrimp got their name from the latin language, or the words Syncaris pacifica to be exact. Known for their love of low-gradient streams, California’s northern waters are a near perfect home for these crustaceans to thrive in.
FUN FACTS!
They use their long antennae to assist with locating their next meals!
Females can produce up to 50 young each month!
It is illegal to capture these shrimp, even in a catch-and release!
They do not have a defense mechanism, making them extremely vulnerable!
ALL freshwater shrimp will eventually die if moved to saltwater!
The long antennae of a California freshwater shrimp. Photo Credit: https://stockcake.com/i/intricate-shrimp-profile_918006_931221
Why are California Freshwater Shrimp Endangered?
California freshwater shrimp are endangered for many reasons, like any organism, but the main few are climate change, urbanization (the act of a growing population taking over diverse areas), water diversion, and introduction of predator species. These predator species include the mosquitofish and the green sunfish.
Why are California Freshwater Shrimp Worth Saving?
Shrimp in general majorly impact our environment with many helpful acts such as climate change and population stabilization. California freshwater shrimp, however, reduce algae population and infestation of unwelcome insects to California’s waters, making them clean to swim and filter drinking water from! Furthermore, they act as a natural filtering system, and nutrient recyclers! Sadly, with less of these shrimp, drought in California is impacted as well as natural swimming oceans.
Very informative