Yellow-Nosed Shrimp

Yellow-nosed Shrimp, Yellow Rhino Shrimp (Eng.), Salpiche (Sp.), Xiphocaris elongata (Sci.), native, West Indies.

Information compiled by Alan Mowbray, Interpretive Media Writer, EYNF/LEF

General Information

The Yellow-nosed Shrimp, X. elaongata is in the phylum Arthropoda, sub-phylum; Crustacea, class; Malacostraca, order; Decapoda, family; Gransidae.

Description

Xiphocaris elongata are 1 to 1.9 inches (2.5 to 4.0 centimeters) in length. They are grayish colored and transparent, with a very thin, smooth outer shell. The shell is periodically shed as the shrimp grows. It has a large spine which protrudes from the front of the head, a long rostra (nose) and a fan tail. Yellow-nosed Shrimp are decapods (deca=ten; pod=leg) with ten jointed legs, well developed swimmerets (fan-like appendages under the tail) and a sideways flattened body.

Habits

Yellow-nosed Shrimp normally eat decomposing vegetation such as leaf litter, and particles of algae. Their first two pairs of legs are used to grab the food and place it in the mouth. Larvae go through several planktonic (microscopic, floating organisms) stages in brackish, estuarine waters, before metamorphosing into post-larval, miniature shrimp form and assuming their benthic (bottom-dwelling) lifestyle in the upper reaches of freshwater streams and rivers.

Habitat

X. elongata are found in tropical rivers, streams and ponds, close to banks or near rocks and aquatic plants, preferring slow flowing water.

Where to look for this animal in the EYNF

In quiet or slow-moving flows or pools along the La Mina river in the forests recreation area.