Crangon alba Holmes 1900

How to Distinguish from Similar Species: Crangon franciscorum has a spine on the upper posterolateral margin of abdominal segment 5. C. handi, C. alaskensis, and C. nigricauda have a median ventral groove on abdominal segment 6.

Geographical Range: East Pacific

As with other members of Family Crangonidae, this species has a subchelate pereopod 1 and the carpus of pereopod 2 is not subdivided into several units. Crangon alba has a very short rostrum. The dactyl of leg 5 is not broad and flattened. The eyestalks are not parallel nor shielded by a hood made of spines. Its carapace is smooth. It has a single median dorsal spine shortly behind the rostrum but no submedian spines. Abdominal segment 5 has no spines on the upper posterolateral margins. Abdominal segment 6 has no prominent longitudinal ridges on the dorsal surface and also has no median groove on the ventral surface.

Biology/Natural History: Crangon shrimp are common on sandy bottoms, where their camouflage helps them blend in well. If disturbed they will often swim down to the sand, rest their ventral surface on it, and quickly burrow out of sight.