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California Freshwater Shrimp

California Freshwater Shrimp
Syncaris pacifica

Photo © Larry Serpa

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California Freshwater Shrimp
Syncaris pacifica

Largely unseen, the California Freshwater Shrimp clings to life along the banks of no more than a half-dozen creeks in Napa, Sonoma, and Marin counties.  It is the only species of native, stream-dwelling shrimp left in California; the Pasadena freshwater shrimp went extinct 50 years before the California Freshwater was even protected as an endangered species in 1988.  And although it is only about two-inches long, the California Freshwater Shrimp plays a vital role in the ecology of these perennial, lowland streams by feeding on decomposing plants and other detritus. 

Hiding under ledges and swimming among the submerged roots of trees and other vegetation, the California Freshwater Shrimp is highly adapted to its environment and employs a number of cagey techniques to survive.  It is nearly transparent—even the food it eats seems to disappear within its body.  If a fish does manage to catch it, the shrimp will jab the top of its spine into the roof of the fish’s mouth to escape.  Although it only gets one chance to reproduce, and doesn’t produce nearly as many eggs as other species of shrimp do, the female swims with her eggs stuck onto her legs throughout the long winter and spring months so they won’t wash away in a flood.  And over the summer, when water levels dwindle and water temperatures rise, the juvenile shrimp will feast on the carcasses of fish that have suffocated in that environment.  

Unfortunately, most of the creeks where California freshwater shrimp still survive are on private land, and these clever little creatures are no match for landowners.  Whenever water is diverted from a creek for a seasonal swimming pool, the channel of a stream is straightened to control flooding, the trees along a creek’s banks are cleared away to allow for a better view, or rip-rap in installed on a stream’s banks to prevent erosion, the shrimp lose a habitat. The introduction of non-native predators is another major threat to the species. 

You might be able to spot California freshwater shrimp in Lagunitas Creek, which runs through Samuel P. Taylor State Park as well as the GGNRA.  Even on public land, however, the shrimp is still vulnerable; contamination from a single tanker spill or chemical release could wipe it out in an instant. 

Conservation Action Item

Ultimately the California Freshwater Shrimp will survive if we leave enough of its aquatic habitats in tact. And of course, the most important component of any aquatic habitat is the water itself. You can help the California Freshwater Shrimp by minimizing water leaks in your home: the average person can save 5,500 gallons of water with this conservation action alone.

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Posted by: Steve Price | 2008-10-11 10:28:18

We got invited to explore the Tocaloma flood plain and Lagunitas Creek near the stone house on Friday afternoon by Chris Pincetich, the Watershed Biologist at SPAWN USA. We donned wet suits and waders to fend off the cold water and were soon rewarded with a sighting of 8 California Freshwater Shrimp swimming among the native blackberry that hung out over the creek.