Description:
Florida grass shrimp grow to approximately 2 inches in length, and are transparent except for a series of brown-red lines that encircle the abdomen and slant diagonally toward the rostrum.  The tip of the abdomen and the leg joints are marked with bright orange.  The rostrum is toothed, with 2 teeth lying behind the orbit of the eye.  The first 2 walking legs have chelae, with the second pair of legs being the longest. 

Habitat:
Grass shrimp may be found in most shallow subtidal habitats to depths of approximately 50 feet.  They are commonly associated with submerged vegetation as in seagrass beds and salt marshes, but are also found in oyster reefs, and among docks and pilings.  

Similar Species:
Grass shrimp are extremely difficult to differentiate due to similarities in size and because most are transparent.  Confirming species identification in grass shrimps often involves the use of a microscope. 

Range:  
Grass shrimp range along most of the eastern seaboard of North America, from approximately Massachusetts south through Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, Texas, coastal Mexico and the West Indies.