User:Ziodom14/‘Ōpae kala‘ole

‘Ōpae kala‘ole
The ‘Ōpae kala‘ole (Atyoida bisulcata), also known as the Hawaiian mountain shrimp, is a species of freshwater shrimp endemic to the Hawaii.

Description
This species of freshwater shrimp are spineless and are able to grow to about 2 inches in length. They don't posses any type of claws but have a unique set pincers, containing bristle-like hairs that primarily used to catch and filter small food particles from water columns. The shrimp are often characterized by either a golden-brown or dark-green/black pigmentation.

Distribution & Habitat
The ‘Ōpae kala‘ole can be commonly found on the islands of Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Moloka‘i, Maui, Hawai‘i, where they occupy streams that contain a high quality of water. They often inhabit the higher parts of streams, where the water is typically flowing the quickest. Oftentimes, they can be seen upstream of 100 ft waterfalls.

Human Use & Cultural Significance
As of today, the consumption of the shrimp continues and is still considered a prized source of food. They were regarded as one of favorite delicacies consumed by the early Native Hawaiians. However, the sale for the shrimp is illegal while it's consumption is not.