Daggerblade Grass Shrimp
Palaemon pugio
Native to North American estuaries, this grass shrimp is an active omnivorous scavenger. Ideal for planted or brackish setups, it peacefully clears detritus and helps maintain tank hygiene.
Température de l’eau
10 - 28 °C
Valeur du pH
7.2 - 8.2
Type d'eau
Eau saumâtre / Eau douce / Marin
Type d'invertébré
Freshwater shrimp
Taille adulte
5 cm
Groupe minimal
>= 5
GH
10 - 20 dGH
KH
6 - 10 dKH
TDS
300 - 600 ppm
Rôle écologique
Scavenger
Sensibilité au cuivre
High
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to the eastern coast of North America, ranging from Massachusetts down to Texas and the Gulf of Mexico. It inhabits estuarine waters, salt marshes, tidal creeks, and beds of seagrass.
Taxonomy: Belongs to the family Palaemonidae, genus Palaemonetes (often classified within Palaemon). Commonly known as the grass shrimp or ghost shrimp because of its highly transparent, glass-like body.
Social Behavior: Peaceful, active, and gregarious. They form large groups, crawling on vegetation and swimming in mid-water. They are constantly active, foraging for food and cleaning the aquarium environment.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Body is almost completely transparent with small brown or yellow dots and faint lines along the rostrum. Females are noticeably larger than males and carry green or yellow eggs under their abdomen.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Tank Setup: Suitable for setups starting from 30 liters (approx. 8 gallons). Provide plenty of live plants (like Hornwort or mosses) and driftwood to offer hiding spaces, especially during their vulnerable molting period.
Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous scavenger. They feed on detritus, filamentous algae, organic debris, and dead plant matter. Supplement with sinking shrimp pellets, crushed flakes, spirulina, and small frozen foods like daphnia.
Water Quality: Highly adaptable. Can survive in fresh, brackish (SG 1.002 to 1.010), or marine water. Keep temperatures between 15°C and 28°C (59-82°F) and pH stable between 7.2 and 8.0. Gentle sponge filtration is recommended.
Compatibility and Tankmates: Peaceful with all inhabitants. Ideal companions include small community fish like neon tetras, guppies, and other small shrimp. Avoid keeping them with large predatory fish that will view them as food.
Aquarium Breeding: Moderately easy. Females carry fertilized eggs under their tails. The larvae hatch as free-swimming zoea and require microscopic live foods like rotifers or baby brine shrimp to survive their first developmental stages.
Risks and Diseases: Highly sensitive to copper-based chemicals and sudden salinity drops. Prone to bacterial shell disease in poor water conditions. Ensure they have places to hide after molting to prevent predation.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Native to the eastern coast of North America, ranging from Massachusetts down to Texas and the Gulf of Mexico. It inhabits estuarine waters, salt marshes, tidal creeks, and beds of seagrass.
Origine
Cosmopolite ou introduitAmérique centrale et CaraïbesAmérique du NordOcéans tropicaux et récifs
Profil d'invertébré
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- Palaemon pugio is primarily an opportunistic omnivore that constantly scavenges the substrate. Its diet consists of detritus, uneaten fish food, and naturally occurring biofilm in the aquarium. Supplemental feedings of sinking pellets or blanched vegetables can help maintain optimal health.
- Rôle écologique
- Scavenger
- In its natural habitat, Palaemon pugio acts as a crucial part of the cleanup crew. It helps to process waste materials and keeps the environment free from decaying organic matter. In captivity, it provides the exact same valuable sanitation services.
- Taille adulte
- 5 cm
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- While not notorious jumpers, Palaemon pugio can easily escape if startled by predators or abrupt light changes. A tight-fitting lid is always recommended to ensure they stay safely within the aquarium. Escaped shrimp will quickly desiccate and perish if they breach the water surface.
- Sensibilité aux chocs
- Medium
- Palaemon pugio is remarkably sensitive to sudden shifts in water parameters such as temperature and salinity. A slow drip acclimation is highly recommended when introducing this invertebrate to a new system. Rapid fluctuations can lead to shock, failed molts, or sudden death.
- Calcium et minéraux
- High
- Maintaining adequate calcium levels is essential for Palaemon pugio to develop a strong exoskeleton. Calcium deficiencies can result in molting problems and leave the shrimp vulnerable to predators or disease. Regular water changes and calcium-rich diets can support healthy carapace formation.
- Mue
- Yes
- Molting is a critical and stressful period in the life cycle of Palaemon pugio. After shedding its exoskeleton, it will instinctively seek hiding places until its new shell hardens. The discarded molt should be left in the tank, as the shrimp will consume it to reclaim valuable minerals.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding Palaemon pugio in captivity can be challenging depending on the specific larval stages required. Females often carry fertilized eggs under their pleopods until they are ready to hatch. Depending on the species, the young may hatch as miniature adults or undergo complex planktonic stages.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Peaceful
- Palaemon pugio is generally peaceful but vulnerable to being eaten by larger, aggressive fish. It is best housed with other small, peaceful tankmates and plenty of hiding spots. Care should be taken to avoid housing it with natural invertebrate predators.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
SeaLifeBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Résilience
- Élevée (moins de 15 mois)
Espèces associées
Recommandations regroupées par proches parents, compagnons et soins similaires.
