Mediterranean Rock Shrimp

Sicyonia carinata

The Mediterranean rock shrimp, Sicyonia carinata, is a crustacean belonging to the family Sicyoniidae and order Decapoda. This species is typically found in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean regions, ranging from France south to Angola and east to Turkey. Divers can encounter these shrimp in various coastal habitats, including sandy and muddy bottoms, seagrass beds, and estuaries. They inhabit depths ranging from 3 to 50 meters, with most occurrences recorded shallower than 40 meters. Mediterranean rock shrimp can reach a maximum length of 8.2 cm, with common body lengths ranging from 3.0 to 6.0 cm. These shrimp are benthic, meaning they live on the bottom of the ocean floor. Reproduction in the order Decapoda, to which this species belongs, is typically gonochoric, meaning individuals are either male or female. The mating behavior often involves a precopulatory courtship ritual using olfactory and tactile cues, with indirect sperm transfer being common. Currently, the Mediterranean rock shrimp has not been evaluated by the IUCN Red List, and it is considered a minor commercial species in fisheries.