Ghost Shrimp

Palaemonetes paludosus, the Ghost or Glass Shrimp, is a native North American freshwater shrimp whose fully transparent body provides a remarkable view of its internal organs, musculature, and digestive system in real time. This makes it uniquely educational as well as decorative — the internal movements visible through the transparent body are endlessly fascinating.

Ghost Shrimp are among the hardiest and most adaptable freshwater shrimp available, tolerating a wide range of water parameters and temperatures. They are commonly kept as scavengers, algae cleaners, or as live food for larger fish. As display animals they are best appreciated in groups with a dark substrate and good lighting that highlights their transparent bodies.

Females carry bright green eggs visibly under the tail. Larvae are tiny and require fine, suspended food to develop, but do not need brackish water — making Ghost Shrimp among the more practical freshwater shrimp to breed at home with appropriate setup.

Water: 18–26°C, pH 6.5–8.0, GH 4–15; highly adaptable to most dechlorinated freshwater. Tank: minimum 20 L; dark substrate shows transparent body best; plants for cover. Feeding: omnivorous scavenger; algae wafers, sinking pellets, blanched vegetables, detritus. Breeding: feasible in fresh water; larvae require fine suspended foods such as infusoria or powder fry food. Compatibility: peaceful; safe with most community fish; may be eaten by larger predatory fish.