Blue Mud Shrimp

Upogebia pugettensis

The Blue Mud Shrimp is a crustacean native to the West Coast of North America, ranging from Valdez Narrows, Alaska, to Morro Bay, California. It has an elongated body and can grow up to 15 cm in length, with males generally larger than females. The shrimp's rostrum is distinctive, ending in three teeth with a broad, triangular median tooth. Blue Mud Shrimp are often found in muddy sand within intertidal zones, where they construct Y- or U-shaped burrows that can reach depths of 0.6 to 1 meter. These burrows serve as habitats for various other species, such as arrow gobies and pea crabs. Blue Mud Shrimp primarily feed on detritus, which they collect using their pleopods. They are known to inhabit estuaries and can tolerate brackish water conditions. The species is gonochoric, with a mating behavior that includes a precopulatory courtship ritual. While diving, one might observe these shrimp in pairs within their burrows, although they can be challenging to spot due to their cryptic nature. Despite their adaptability, Blue Mud Shrimp populations are declining, primarily due to the invasive isopod parasite Orthione griffenis. This parasite significantly affects the shrimp's reproductive capabilities, particularly in females. Conservation status for the Blue Mud Shrimp has not been evaluated by the IUCN.