The species composition, spatial and temporal distribution of shrimps in the Gonghu Bay (Lake Taihu) were investiga-ted by sampling with pop-net in April, July and October of 2005.The total of 9605 individuals belonging to 5 species, 3 genera and 2 families were collected.The relative percentage of Exopalaemon modestus, Caridina nilotica gracilipes, Neocaridina denticulata sinensis, Macrobrachium nipponense to the tota1 is 63.79%, 13.93%, 12.69% and 9.46%, respectively.Based on the type and coverage of aquatic vegetation, the lake was categorized into 5 habitat types:Potamogeton maackianus habitat, mixed sub-merged macrophyte habitat, Potamogeton malaianus habitat, littoral zone with a little macrophyte habitat, and naked habitat.The density sequence of all shrimps from high to low is Potamogeton maackianus habitat, mixed submerged macrophyte habitat, Potamogeton malaianus habitat, littoral zone with a little macrophyte habitat and naked habitat.The biomass of shrimps decreased substantially in Potamogeton maackianus habitat, Potamogeton malaianus habitat, combined submerged macrophyte habitat, littoral zone with a little macrophyte habitat, and naked habitat.Each of the dominant species preferred the Potamogeton maackianus habi-tat.In terms of seasonal variation, both the largest density and biomass of the dominant shrimps were in summer (July), followed by spring (April) and autumn (October).