Zombie Shrimp

The zombie shrimp is a carnivorous crustacean species. Its name comes from the larvas' ability to take over the brain of a dead host, essentially "zombifying" the body. Common hosts include fish and other small aquatic critters, but they have been known to rarely take over Water-kin and even Kryllist.

Basic Information

Growth Rate & Stages

Egg

When a female is ready to lay eggs, she will choose a host in which the eggs will incubate for a short period of time. Zombie shrimp eggs are layed under the skin at the base of the brain stem of the host. If the host is an invertebrate, the eggs would be layed in the closest approximation of where a brain stem would have been.

Larva - Six Months

After the eggs hatch, the larva burrow up towards and/or into brain to which they latch on. The larva then secrete a chemical that kills the host, allowing them to take control of the body. After the host's death, the larva continue to control the host body and feed off of its nutrients and resources until they reach adulthood.

Adult - One Year

After reaching adulthood, the zombie shrimp chews its way out of the host and immediately begin swimming towards shallower regions to mate. Female zombie shrimp will yield two clutches before dying.

Dietary Needs and Habits

In its larval stage, the zombie shrimp consumes resources from its host. After reaching adulthood, the zombie shrimp feeds on the eggs and young of fish.

by Tyler Smith

Basic Information

Average Lifespan
1.5 years

Average Length
2 inches

Average Clutch
20 eggs