Giant Red Shrimp

Presentation

The giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) is a marine decapod crustacean living in deep waters, particularly in the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. It is distinguished by its vivid red carapace and relatively large size for a commercial shrimp. This species is actively fished, particularly in Tunisia, where it is prized for its delicate flesh. It typically lives on muddy bottoms between 200 and 800 meters deep. Its elongated body and toothed rostrum make it easily identifiable among other deep-water shrimp.

It has a smooth carapace ranging from red to intense pink in color, a long toothed rostrum, and long antennae. Its segmented body has five pairs of thoracic legs adapted for foraging on the sea floor. Adult size often exceeds that of common coastal shrimp.

Characteristics

Indicative values: they vary by subspecies, sex and region.

Habitat and distribution

This shrimp prefers muddy or sandy-muddy bottoms on continental slopes, at depths ranging from 200 to over 800 meters. It favors the cold, stable waters characteristic of bathyal zones. It is found in both the Mediterranean and the eastern Atlantic.

Behaviour

A benthic species, it lives mainly buried or near the substrate during the day and becomes more active at night. It undergoes seasonal vertical migrations linked to reproduction. It is not gregarious but can form local concentrations on certain food-rich bottoms.

Reproduction

Reproduction occurs primarily in spring and summer, when females carry eggs beneath their abdomens. After hatching, larvae pass through several planktonic stages before settling on the seafloor. Sexual maturity is reached after one to two years, depending on environmental conditions.

Peculiarities

Its vivid red color, which intensifies when cooked, sets it clearly apart from other commercial shrimps. It is also known as the "Mediterranean red shrimp" in commerce. Its capture requires specific deep-water fishing techniques, using trawls.

Threats and conservation

Overfishing is the main threat to this species' populations, particularly in the Mediterranean where fishing pressure remains high. Deep-sea trawling can also damage fragile benthic habitats. Quota management measures have been implemented in some areas to limit stock decline.

References

Profile updated 26 October 2026 · Reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team.