Prawns
Mud lobster / Thalassina anomala / Okinawa anajako / オキナワアナジャコ
This endemic species of prawn looks like a small lobster, but is more closely related to the crayfish. It can reach lengths of 30 centimeters, but usually grows to between 16 and 20 centimeters. The color of its body varies from light brown to dark brown and green. It is notable for its nest building, burrowing as deep as 2 meters into the sediment around the mangroves. The earth and sand that it excavates is piled into a mound that can reach a height of 1 meter or more. The mud lobster is nocturnal, and spends most of the day in its nest. It plays an important role in the mangrove ecosystem, moving organic matter from deep soil to the surface and allowing aerated tidal waters to enter the excavated areas. It is also known as the scorpion mud lobster.
Crane river prawn / Macrobrachium formosense / Minami tenaga-ebi / ミナミテナガエビ
This freshwater prawn, thought to be somewhat salt tolerant, is found in the rivers and mangroves of Amami-Oshima. It has a maximum body length of 10 centimeters, and its color varies from gray to olive, brown, and dark reddish brown. The Japanese name means southern (minami) long-armed (tenaga) prawn (ebi).
