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Shrimp, Barrel

Phronima spp.

Shrimp, Pram Bug

Invertebrate

Arthropoda

Malacostraca

Phronomidae

Open Water Offshore
Open Water Offshore

Feeding:
Predator
Predator
Distribution:
World Wide
World Wide
Edibility:
Inedible
Inedible
Size:
Coin Sized
Coin Sized



This tiny, shrimplike creature is no more than 2.5 centimeters long, Its giant eyes spot prey. Huge claws grab the prey, and a tiny mouth rips it to shreds. The prey never sees what’s coming, because Phronima’s transparent body blends into the surrounding water.


Open ocean drifting with currents. It is found throughout the world's oceans, except in polar regions.


Predator.


Females attack salps, using their mouth and claws to eat the animal and hollow out its gelatinous shell. She then enters the barrel and lays her eggs inside. She then propels the barrel through the water as the larvae develop, providing them with fresh food and water.



http://ocean.si.edu/ocean-photos/phronima accessed 13/02/14 Photo by J. McKinnon