Glass Shrimp

P. affinis is a prawn-like species with a transparent body. The average male's carapace length is about 6.1 mm with a total body length of 15-36 mm, and the female’s carapace length is about 13.3 mm and total body length ranging from 5-57.2 mm. The body is striped, often in red and green, with orange-black dots along tail and legs. This appearance provides camouflage in rocky pool environments. The rostrum has a sharp, saw-like pattern useful in foraging and defense. The rostrum is usually longer than the carapace. It is an important feature for distinguishing between Palaemon species. Like other species in the genus, P. affinis usually has approximately six body segments. There are both chelate (pincered) and non-chelate legs. In females carrying eggs, chelate legs are used to clean the eggs and promote water flow around them.

P. affinis constitutes the most common type of prawn in the intertidal zone in the North and South Islands of New Zealand. They can be found at depths of up to 300 m at water temperatues of 16°-20°C. Although previously thought to be present in many other countries, the species is now considered to occur in New Zealand only. However, it has been suggested that some specimens from the subantarctic islands and Australia may also be Palaemon affinis.

P. affinis occurs along shores in rocky intertidal zones and in estuaries. The shrimp is very tolerant of salinity changes and can survive in water with a salinity of 5-43%. At McCormacks Bay in Canterbury it was found to be most abundant during high tide, at night, and during the summer months, with abundance fluctuating throughout the year and tidal periods.

The species' main predators are fish, larger shrimps, crabs, and other crustaceans. As P. affinis are most vulnerable after they molt, they tend to hide under rocks to protect themselves during this period, especially during mating season.

The species is mostly carnivorous. Based on examination of stomach contents, they appear to primarily feed upon amphipods, but may also eat polychaetes, gastropods, and bivalves. Depending on food availability, plant materials may also be taken. Diet choice does not differ by sex, however the smaller males consume less than the larger females. No seasonal diet choices have been reported. Individuals prefer to feed at night and tend to keep their stomachs at around 50% fullness throughout the daytime.

Females reach maturity onset at a total body length of 33-41 mm, during the late spring to early summer. P. affinis reproductive strategies differ from that of other Palaemon species, which generally carry a number of eggs relative to their body size (up to 2,750 eggs per breeding cycle). In contrast, in P. affinis egg number is dependent on each female's individual fertility (110-690 eggs per breeding cycle. Eggs are carried via pleopods under the abdomen until hatching, for 2 to 3 weeks, and are constantly fanned and cleaned to prevent fungal growth. Hatched larvae are planktonic and go through several rounds of moulting. Juveniles begin to settle down on rock beds after their limbs are developed.