palaemonidae Definition

Palaemonidae is a family of decapod crustaceans primarily found in marine, estuarine, and freshwater environments. The most common members of this family are shrimp-like crustaceans such as the common shrimp (Palaemonetes), which are often considered as cleaning organisms in aquatic systems. They play a crucial role in the ecological balance, serving as both predators and prey in marine and freshwater ecosystems.