What is a ghost shrimp?
A ghost shrimp is an invertebrate often found in Texas Gulf beaches. Although called a ghost shrimp, it is more closely related to crabs. This species inhabits the intertidal zone (area between the low and high tide zones) and forms deep borrows, over 4 feet in depth. Because of this organism’s borrowing action and movement of water through the borrows, oxygen is transported deeper into the beach sediments and consequently improves the productivity of the beach community. This species is sought by fishermen as bait, especially those targeting sheepshead. The ghost shrimp are collected by sucking the ghost shrimp out of their burrow with a sand pump (page 58 in the TPWD 2003-2004 Outdoor Annual). This device can be found at local fishing tackle shops. Ghost shrimp reach a maximum size of around 5 inches. There is a bag limit on this species (20 per day per person). This limit was established to reduce the impact on the population by anglers collecting these for bait. top of page When we
