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What Is a Pink Shrimp Habitat?

There are many species of pink shrimps, and the ones commonly fished for human consumption are the Penaeus duorarum, Pandalus jordani, Pandalus borealis and the parapenaeus longirostris. Distinguishable by their pinkish shells and prized for their sweet flavor, the pink shrimps can be found in many saltwater bodies, from the Northern Pacific to the Mediterranean ocean. However, different species prefer different water temperatures, thus their habitats can vary slightly, depending on the ocean's depths.

Atlantic Ocean
- One of the largest habitats for shrimp in the United States is in the Gulf of Mexico, which is home to the spotted pink shrimp (Penaeus duorarum). Found in coastal waters, estuaries and shallow inlets, this species propagates in warm water, preferring temperatures that average around 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The younger shrimp reside in shallow water and can often be found in the turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) and marine plants. As the shrimps mature, they migrate to depths up to 210 feet and reside in the sand, crushed shells and rocks that line the gulf's floor.
Pacific Ocean
- The Northern Pacific Ocean, located of the coast of Oregon, is the natural habitat of the ocean pink shrimp (Pandalus jordani). These small shrimps prefer cooler waters, with temperatures that range from 40 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and can be found in the greenish mud and sandy bottoms located on the ocean floor. The male shrimp prefer shallower waters, residing in depths close to 500 feet for six months out of the year. During the six month mating season, they migrate to deeper levels (around 750 feet) where the female shrimps reside, to procreate.
North Sea
- The Great Northern Shrimp (Pandalus borealis) is another pink shrimp that prefers colder waters, residing in the frigid waters of North Sea, including Great Britain, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Green Land and Iceland. Furthermore, this pink shrimp species also prefers to reside in deep waters; they can be found at levels of 600 feet. Waters at that depth can range from 36 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and the shrimp inhabit the soft mud on the sea floor.
Mediterranean Sea
- The deep sea pink shrimp (parapenaeus longirostris) lives in the abysmal waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The rose colored shrimp can be found as far north as Spain's Basque region to the southern waters of Angola. Though this shrimp species can live at sea levels as deep as 2,755 feet, the majority of the crustaceans can be found around the 1200 feet level. Like many other deep sea shrimps, the parapenaeus longirostris prefers the cold muddy habitat, preferring temperatures of 32 to 34 degrees.

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