How Do Shrimp Breathe?

By Staff WriterLast Updated April 05, 2020

Shrimp breathe through gills. This respiratory organ is called a branchia and is located in the carapace, or head, of the shrimp.

Shrimp are swimming crustaceans that belong to the Pleocyemata suborder, along with crabs and lobsters. They have a hard exoskeleton and are characterized by having 10 legs and carrying their fertilized eggs on their swimmerets, or pleopods.

The American freshwater glass shrimp, also known as a ghost shrimp, has a transparent and segmented body with an orange spot on the tail. This omnivorous scavenger makes for an ideal addition to an aquarium, as it is continuously active on the lookout for food.