Heterocarpus ensifer is a species of deep-water shrimp.
The nominate subspecies is found in the Atlantic Ocean from Spain and Madeira to Angola and from North Carolina to the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea; other subspecies occur in the Pacific Ocean and around the Philippines and Indonesia.
[2] Despite being one of the most abundant shrimp in some areas,[3] its biology is still poorly known.
[4] These deep water crustaceans are most copious between 300 and 400m.
Their distribution demonstrates an ability to adapt well to distinct environments.