What is a Ghost Shrimp?

One of the most commonly sold shrimp in the freshwater aquarium hobby is what is labeled as the “ghost shrimp”. Most of the time these shrimp are sold a feeders for larger fish, but on the rare occasion they are given the respect they deserve and are sold as pets.

But there is great confusion as to what a “Ghost Shrimp” actually is.

Ghost Shrimp –
A generic name given to many different species of shrimp that are similar in size and shape and almost always have a clear coloration.

The species that are sold as ghost shrimp can range from Macrobrachium species (also known as long arm shrimp) to naturally colored Neocaridina species. The most commonly sold “Ghost Shrimp” in North America is the American Glass Shrimp – Palaemonetes paludosus

American Glass Shrimp Female

The American Glass Shrimp is quite common in freshwater in North America and is easily collected. This shrimp does not require saltwater to breed, but the young shrimp do go through a short larval period in freshwater.

Most frequently when somebody refers to a “Ghost Shrimp” they are in reality referring to an American Glass Shrimp, but often times it is an unknown species!