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Visitors to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher will find themselves mesmerized by the new South Atlantic White Shrimp exhibit.
These crustaceans stay busy, with 10 long and slender walking legs and five pairs of swimming legs. Here are five things to know about our newest aquarium inhabitants:
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White shrimp can jump from the water to evade predators, using a rapid tail flex — a snapping action that propels them backward.
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Their bodies are light gray, with green on the tail and a yellow band across the abdomen.
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They have longer antennae than other shrimp (often 3 times longer than their bodies).
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White shrimp grow fairly fast, depending on such factors as water temperature and salinity, reaching up to 7 or 8 inches in length.
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They can reproduce when they reach about 5½ inches long.
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As with all the creatures in the Aquarium, the white shrimp’s conservation is a priority. A key concern is how their survival relates to other species. Some important sustainability facts:
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White Shrimp are a commercially significant species, commonly fished throughout the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico.
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Their populations are considered healthy, but other threatened or endangered species can be accidentally caught by shrimp trawlers.
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Careful regulation of shrimp fisheries, including the requirement of turtle excluder devices to prevent accidental catch of sea turtles, can make this a more sustainable fishery.
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Coming soon to the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher: Caribbean Coral Reef, Atlantic Sea Nettles, and Screech Owl Habitats!
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per reservation. Our goal is to donate ONE TON of food this year. Show the love with a donation and explore the aquarium!
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participants can bring their favorite snacks and non-alcoholic beverages!
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Plan Ahead for Your Visit
Visiting the Aquarium is as easy as 1-2-3!
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Book Your Reservation Online (Required)
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Wear a Mask (Required - 5 and up)
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Check in at the ticket window!
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