Description: This shrimp reaches a length of up to 9 cm and is usually well camouflaged in its habitat, the colour is a mottled brown or grey and blends in very well with the substrate, especially if the shrimp is buried or partially buried. The rostrum is short, only about half the length of the eye, with a rounded tip. The front pair of legs bear relatively large claws. Upper surface in front of tail is smooth in this species (Crangon allmanni has a groove/ridges).

Habitat: Found in rockpools on the lower shore to around 50 m depth. Fine sand, gravel or fine muddy substrate.

Distribution: Widely distributed around Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: Could be confused with Crangon allmanni. Careful inspection of the upper surface in front of the tail required. In C. allmanni there is a deep groove and ridges running down this section of the body.

Key Identification Features:

• Reaches up to 9 cm.
• Mottled brown or grey, well camouflaged and often buried or partially buried.
• Upper surface in front of the tail is smooth.

Distribution Map from NBN: Crangon crangon at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Crangon crangon at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Crangon crangon

WoRMS: Crangon crangon at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Crangon crangon (Linnaeus, 1758). AphiaID: 107552.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Arthropoda; Crustacea; Multicrustacea; Malacostraca; Eumalacostraca; Eucarida; Decapoda; Pleocyemata; Caridea; Crangonoidea; Crangonidae; Crangon