Invertebrate · GBIF taxon 2224979
Rockpool Prawn
Palaemon elegansAlso known as Rockpool Shrimp, Rock Prawn, Chameleon Shrimp
Rockpool prawns are nimble, translucent crustaceans adorned with striking reddish-brown horizontal stripes and bright yellow joints on their legs. They inhabit shallow intertidal pools and rocky coastlines, where they actively scavenge for food using delicate clawed appendages. Highly adaptable to changing conditions, they tolerate wide fluctuations in salinity and temperature, allowing them to colonize varied marine and estuarine environments.
MarineTranslucentInvertebrate
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Algae
- Small Invertebrates
- Detritus
Predators
- Seabirds
- Small Fish
- Crabs
ThreatsCoastal pollution, habitat degradation, extreme climate events
HabitatsIntertidal rockpools, shallow coastal waters, estuaries, seagrass beds
Life span2–4 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderDecapoda
- FamilyPalaemonidae
- GenusPalaemon
- SpeciesPalaemon elegans
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Observation: Look closely into calm intertidal pools at low tide when prawns emerge to feed.
- Handling: Avoid netting or holding them, as their delicate limbs break easily and handling causes severe stress.
Image unavailableCompetitor 
Predator (c) Sandy Rae, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Jamie O'Neill, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.