Nika Shrimp

Overview

The Nika shrimp (Processa edulis) is a moderate-sized crustacean found in shallow coastal waters across the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and potentially the Black Sea. It is a nocturnal species that spends its daylight hours hidden within seagrass beds or buried in sandy substrates, emerging at night to forage.

Appearance

This shrimp exhibits a notable color change based on its activity cycle: it appears white and transparent during the day but shifts to a pink or reddish hue at night, marked by tiny white spots known as chromatophores. Its rostrum is short, not extending past the eyes, and features a single tooth and a point. The first pair of legs is asymmetrical, with a claw on one side and a clamp on the other, while the second pair of legs features clamps on both sides but differs in length.

Biology & behavior

Processa edulis is primarily a nocturnal feeder. During the day, it remains inactive, often burying itself in sand or sheltering among the rhizomes of seagrasses like Posidonia or eelgrass. Its diet consists of small prey, including various worms (such as annelids and nematodes), small crustaceans like amphipods and isopods, and occasionally plant matter. Breeding typically occurs between March and September, during which time females may produce multiple batches of eggs.