Callianassa major Carolinian Ghost Shrimp

    The Carolinian Ghost Shrimp is the largest ghost shrimp found in northeast Florida and is common intertidally on our open Atlantic Beaches. While the illustrated specimen was found burrowing just below the surface, it normally lives deeply buried in the substrate in a series of tunnels that may extend six feet into the sand. Because of this deep burrowing, its presence normally goes undetected by the average beach visitor. The only clue to its presence in most cases is a small quarter inch diameter hole in the sand near the low tide line surrounded by a ring of fecal pellets [see bottom image]. Their dexterity in moving through the tunnel system makes them difficult to capture without the help of specialized equipment.