General Description

Rostrum with 6-9 unevenly spaced dorsal teeth, 2 posterior to orbit of the eye; 3-6 ventral teeth, usually 4. Branchiostegal spine set back from and its tip barely reaching anterior carapace edge, high on branchiostegite. Branchiostegal groove looping over spine. Fifth segment (carpus) of male second leg (pereopod 2) longer than palm (propodus proximal to finger), reaching to tip of scaphocerite. Distinct transverse red and/or occasionally olive stripes across all abdominal somites; less distinct longitudinal and oblique red stripes on carapace; antennule inner flagellum pink with few white flecks; often row of white chromatophores along lateral carina of the rostrum. Up to 1.5 cm long.

Biology

This common species is easily confused with P. intermedius. The two may co-occur on muddy sediments and in seagrasses. This species is common in bays where there is estuarine influence and salinity is low.

Habitat

Low intertidal to 3 m depth.

Soft substrates

Seagrass meadows

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Southern temperate oceans, including south-eastern Australia.

Species Group

Prawns, shrimps, lobsters › Shrimps

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

15 mm

Diet

Organic matter

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Species Code

MoV 1594

Conservation Status

• DSE Advisory List : Not listed
• EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
• IUCN Red List : Not listed