Atlantic ditch shrimp
Palaemon varians
Palaemon varians, known as the Atlantic ditch shrimp and variable shrimp, is a caridean shrimp found from the Baltic Sea and the British Isles to the western Mediterranean Sea. It reaches up to 5 cm (2.
22
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palaemon_varians
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Malacostraca
Order
Decapoda
Family
Palaemonidae
Genus
Palaemon
Atlantic ditch shrimp belongs to the family Palaemonidae, order Decapoda, within the Malacostraca class.
Species Profile
Palaemon varians, known as the Atlantic ditch shrimp and variable shrimp, is a caridean shrimp found from the Baltic Sea and the British Isles to the western Mediterranean Sea. It reaches up to 5 cm (2.0 in) in length and is never found in fully marine conditions, instead living in brackish water.
The Atlantic ditch shrimp faces significant threats from habitat degradation and pollution in its coastal and estuarine environments. Water quality deterioration from agricultural runoff, urban development, and industrial activities has reduced suitable habitat availability. Climate change impacts, including sea level rise and temperature fluctuations, further stress populations in their shallow water habitats.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Shallow coastal waters, estuaries, salt marshes, and brackish ditches along Atlantic coastlines, typically in areas with vegetation and soft substrates. The species inhabits both tidal pools and permanent water bodies with varying salinity levels from fresh to marine conditions.
Threats
Habitat loss due to coastal development
Water pollution from agricultural and urban runoff
Climate change and sea level rise
Eutrophication of coastal waters
Salinity changes in estuarine habitats
Found in 22 Countries
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Atlantic ditch shrimp (Palaemon varians). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/atlantic-ditch-shrimp