Shrimp live in both salt and fresh water and usually inhabit the areas around shallow seafloors, feeding on small animals and plants. However, some species are pelagic (open ocean). In contrast with lobsters and crayfish, shrimps are flattened laterally instead of horizontally. "They have thick-muscled abdomens, which they contract rapidly in making their sudden, backward-swimming escapes." (1)

A Candycane shrimp (Lebbeus grandimanus)

(#) A Tiger Shrimp

(1) "Shrimp," Microsoft Encarta 96 Encyclopedia. 1993-1995 Microsoft Corporation.