Red Tiny Shrimp (Metapenaeus Hardwickii)

The red tiny shrimp is very small in size with its length barely crossing 1.5 cm. It is usually found in brackish waters near the sea coast. Mostly you will find it in very large numbers and is found endemically in the Hawaiian Islands. In five of the eight islands of Hawaii, the shrimp is found. They are known to be both herbivorous and detritivorous which is a very surprising fact.

Red shrimps diet includes algal and bacterial mats which are found on rocks surface. The reproduction process of the same happens in the subterranean area of their habitat. Red shrimp is one of the longest living creatures in their category and some can even survive for 20 years at a stretch.

It is quite difficult to demarcate a male red shrimp from a female one. However, the female carries clusters of red/maroon eggs under their pleopods and that can be a distinguishing factor. At times they may mot their shells which are seen as shells down the tank or wherever they are stored. It is said that red shrimps mate after moulting though there is no evidence to prove that. In conditions that they are stressed the red tiny shrimp would want to hide.