fairy shrimp

any member of the crustacean order Anostraca, characterized by an elongate trunk with more than 20 segments and the absence of a carapace, typically found swimming ventral side up in fresh water.

[1855-60]

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Any of the crustaceans in the order Anostraca, named for their graceful movements and pastel colours.

Some grow to 1 in. (2.5 cm) or more in length. They live in freshwater ponds in Europe, Central Asia, western North America, the drier regions of Africa, and Australia. See also shrimp.

Fairy shrimp (Eubranchipus vernalis)

William Jahoda

National Audubon Society from Photo Researchers/EB Inc.

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▪ crustacean

 any of the crustaceans of the order Anostraca, so called because of their graceful movements and pastel colours. Some grow to 2.5 cm (about 1 inch) or more in length. They occur in freshwater ponds of Europe, Central Asia, western North America, the drier regions of Africa, and Australia. The most common species in Europe is Chirocephalus diaphanus; in North America the most common is Eubranchipus vernalis.

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