Palaemon floridanus
Introduced in a group of 75 from the Tampa Bay coast to strengthen the saltwater shrimp layer, this nearly transparent marine shrimp grazes algae and scavenges organic matter across the Seagrass Meadow and Marine Shore.
Seventy-five Florida Glass Shrimp (Palaemon floridanus) were collected from the Tampa Bay coast and introduced to miniBIOTA's Marine Shore and Seagrass Meadow on June 12, 2026. Introduced as a deliberate shrimp population supplement to support a stronger shrimp layer than the struggling Daggerblade Grass Shrimp, this is the largest single introduction of any shrimp species in miniBIOTA to date.
Palaemon floridanus is native to shallow coastal marine and estuarine habitats of the southeastern United States and the Gulf of Mexico, with Florida as a core part of its range. It is found in seagrass beds, mangrove edges, tidal creeks, and shallow sandy substrates along Florida's coastal and estuarine shores, including Tampa Bay. It is the larger and more robustly built of the common Florida Palaemon species and is frequently encountered in nearshore saltwater collections.
Florida Glass Shrimp inhabit shallow marine and estuarine environments with submerged vegetation, sandy substrate, and abundant surface structure. They are semi-pelagic, capable of swimming short distances but spending most of their time near the substrate and associated with seagrass blades, algae mats, and submerged debris. Their nearly transparent bodies provide camouflage in open-water backgrounds. In miniBIOTA, they were introduced to the Marine Shore and Seagrass Meadow.
Palaemon floridanus is an omnivorous scavenger and grazer. It feeds on algae and biofilm scraped from surfaces, processes detritus and fine organic particles, and scavenges dead animal matter when available. Behavior is broadly similar to other Palaemon species.
Females carry eggs attached to the pleopods beneath the abdomen until hatching. Larvae pass through zoea and mysis stages before settling. In a closed system, mysis larval survival depends on available fine suspended food particles, which has been the limiting factor for Daggerblade Grass Shrimp larvae in miniBIOTA. Whether P. floridanus larvae will survive past the mysis stage is unknown.
Palaemon floridanus tolerates a range of salinities from brackish to full marine, consistent with its estuarine range. It is adapted to Florida's coastal temperature range. Specific tolerance measurements for miniBIOTA conditions have not been taken.
Florida Glass Shrimp serve as generalist omnivores and scavengers in the marine saltwater biomes, grazing surfaces and processing detritus similarly to Daggerblade Grass Shrimp but potentially at a higher population density given the larger introduction size. With 75 individuals introduced at once, they represent a substantially larger immediate contribution to the shrimp grazer and scavenger layer than the Daggerblade Grass Shrimp population has ever achieved.
As the larger of the two Palaemon species in the saltwater realm, there is potential for ecological overlap and competitive interaction with Daggerblade Grass Shrimp, but no interaction has been observed.
Seventy-five Florida Glass Shrimp were collected from the Tampa Bay coast and introduced to miniBIOTA's Marine Shore and Seagrass Meadow on June 12, 2026, as a deliberate shrimp population supplement.
75 individuals introduced June 12, 2026. On June 13, species identity confirmed; same morning, population appeared unusually lethargic, interpreted as low-oxygen stress following the overnight biomass increase. Wave system reprogrammed June 13 in response. Approximately 3 individuals confirmed dead that same morning (confirmed via follow-up, July 2, 2026); carcasses consumed by tankmates within hours, so this is a likely undercount. June 19, 2026: individuals observed actively feeding with full digestive tracts; crouching feeding posture documented. Some females remain buried in substrate. June 27, 2026: original note described "population increased significantly," clarified July 2, 2026 to mean the overall shrimp presence in the biome (a new species added), not Florida Glass Shrimp's own numbers. July 2, 2026: owner estimates approximately 50 individuals remain; precise count not obtainable given swimming speed and available hiding places. Whether larvae will survive past the mysis stage in this closed system is a key open question.
Omnivorous scavenger consistent with Palaemonidae biology. Ecological role expected to overlap substantially with Daggerblade Grass Shrimp (P. pugio) in the same biomes. First miniBIOTA feeding behavior documented June 19, 2026: individuals observed crouching directly against algae-covered surfaces to feed, distinct from the upright picking posture of Daggerblade Grass Shrimp. Many individuals showed visibly full digestive tracts, indicating active feeding and food availability in the Seagrass Meadow.
Marine and estuarine species tolerating brackish to full marine salinity. Adapted to Florida coastal temperature range. Specific miniBIOTA tolerance ranges not formally measured.
No reproductive observations on record in miniBIOTA. Mysis larval stage requires suspended fine food particles; mysis survival in a closed system is an open question given Daggerblade Grass Shrimp's failure to recruit past this stage.
(pending observation)
Follow this species across the habitats where it currently appears in the miniBIOTA biosphere.
