Not on Exhibit
Animal Facts
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Scientific Name
Sergestes similis
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Animal Type
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Diet
copepods
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Size
to 1.5 inches (4 cm) long
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Relatives
other shrimp; crabs; lobsters
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Habitat
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Range
midwater (2,297-3,281 feet, or 700-1,000 m), they migrate up and down the water column
Natural History
Midwater shrimp are one of the most abundant crustaceans in the midwater. They live in Monterey Bay year-round. These shrimp have light-producing organs on the undersides of their translucent, red and white bodies. Their blue glow matches the color and intensity of dim light from above. This "counterillumination" hides the shrimp from predators looking up from below.
Conservation
Anything that finds its way into the ocean, whether it's tossed away as trash, washes off a beach or falls off a boat, may eventually make its way to the deep sea. It's important to realize that the deep sea is not so far away that it's beyond the reach of human activities. Living creatures in the deep are affected by what we do at the surface.
Cool Facts
This shrimp's long antennae—nearly four times its body length—may help it find food or mates by sensing chemicals produced by other animals.