Description: A deep-water edible caridean shrimp reddish in colour, with a large, thick head. The upper edge of the rostrum is spiked only on the base. Third abdominal segment with a moderately strong and rounded dorsal keel, without posterior spine. Bioluminescent. The eggs are deep blue, clearly visible in ovigerous females.
Global Distribution: Eastern Atlantic and Indo-West Pacific.
BIOLOGICAL FEATURES
Size: Maximum total length 181 mm (male), 180 mm (female), maximum carapace length 44 mm (male). Maximum weight 86.8 g.
Age: Probably more than 3 years.
Weight length rel.:
Growth type:
von Bertallanfy growth parameters:
Reproduction: Ovigerous females found year-round, but there seems to be a peak reproductive season, which in the Canary Islands is from May to November. Both males and females are found in deeper water during the reproductive season. Probably iteroparous.
Maturity: Females: 40 mm CL; males probably around 37-38 mm CL.
Behavioural ecology:
Population structure & migrations: Seasonal changes in sex ratio may indicate spatial sex segregation during parts of the year. There appear to be depth migrations related to reproduction.
ECOLOGICAL FEATURES
Depth range: 302-1450 m.
Canary Islands (Arrasate-López et al. 2012): 714 - 1450 m.
Habitat: Benthic on sand or sandy mud.
Feeding habits:
Trophic level:
FISHERIES
Commercial interest: Commercial species. Experimental fisheries in Madeira revealed a limited potential for commercial exploitation of this species in the 1000 m depth stratum. Captured with semifloating shrimp traps.
Conservation status: Not evaluated.
Nutritional information & food safety:
Proximate composition per 100 g:
energy value 114.79 kcal (5.7% DRV)
protein 17.32 g (34.6% DRV)
fat 1.12 g (1.6% DRV)
of which saturates 0.28 g (1.4% DRV)
omega-3 (EPA+DHA): 0.282 g (recommended: 0.250 - 2.0 g daily)
REFERENCES
Arrasate-López M., Tuset V.M., Santana J.I., GarcÃa-Mederos A., Ayza O., González J.A. (2012). Fishing methods for sustainable shrimp fisheries in the Canary Islands (North-West Africa). African Journal of Marine Science,
34(3): 331-339.
Crosnier A., Forest J. (1973). Les crevettes profondes de l’Atlantique oriental
tropical. Faune Tropicale XIX, Office de la Recherche Scientifique et Technique Outre Mer, Paris, France, 409 pp.
Dailey M.D., Ralston S. (1986). Aspects of the reproductive biology, spatial distribution, growth, and mortality of the deepwater caridean shrimp, Heterocarpus laevigatus, in Hawaii. Fishery Bulletin, 84(4): 915-925.
Holthuis L.B. (1980). FAO Species Catalogue. Vol. 1. Shrimps and prawns of the world. An annotated catalogue of species of interest to fisheries. FAO Fisheries Synopsis No. 125. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy, 271 pp.
IUCN (2014). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.1. www.iucnredlist.org
