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5 Shrimp Species Too Pretty to Eat

5 Shrimp Species Too Pretty to Eat

Written by Leisure Pro Staff
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Published on April 2, 2014

While shrimp are probably one of the most common and popular shellfish foods on the planet, there are shrimp species found around the world that are extremely attractive and interesting. A thrill to find in their natural habitat, these varieties may end up in an aquarium at some point, but surely not on someone’s dinner plate.

 Bumblebee Shrimp

Having a distinctive and decorative black-yellow, black-white, or black-yellow-white horizontally striped body, the Bumblebee or Striped Harlequin Shrimp typically resides in the waters of the Indo-Pacific region. Similar to many other exotic shrimp, they remain quite small, growing to a maximum length of one inch.

Fire Shrimp

Also known as the Blood Red Fire Shrimp, this shrimp species resembles a miniature lobster. Residing in the Indo-Pacific water, the small creatures have characteristic bright red bodies. The coloration extends onto the antennae and appendages. In contrast, the body, tips of the antennae and the distal segment of the legs are brilliant white. These attractive little crustaceans grow to around two inches in length.

Harlequin Shrimp

This gorgeous shrimp is found in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific, and are characterized by lovely blue-brown and purple-pink spots on their opaque pink bodies. Harlequin shrimp live their lives in pairs, and feed only on starfish — a pair together will drag a living starfish back to their home on the reef and turn it over so the mouth is facing upward and the starfish cannot overturn itself, and will proceed to feed on the living organism, sometimes even feeding it so it stays alive longer!

 Mantis Shrimp

Mantis shrimp are perhaps the most flamboyant of all the shrimp species, with all colors of the rainbow visible on the entirety of its body, ranging from muted earth tones to vibrant neon colors. They can reach up to 15 inches in length, and their powerful claws are capable of smashing, spearing, or eviscerating prey like smaller crustaceans, mollusks, or fish, and can even break aquarium glass with just one snap. However, not much is known about these attractive creatures since the majority of their lives is spent in burrows.

Ghost Shrimp

Commonly found in the waters off the coast of Western Africa, these unusual looking shrimp species appear to consist of clear glass or plastic. Their transparent bodies provide an interesting glimpse into their internal structures, making them fascinating to watch. Males may grow up to 1.5 inches in length, but more often the length of adults extends to around one inch.

Leisure Pro Staff

Leisure Pro Staff

Marketing Director for LeisurePro