Eastern Atlantic region: from Iceland, the Faeroes and northwestern Norway (Lofoten Islands), south to the Atlantic coast of Morocco; western and central basin of the Mediterranean; absent from the eastern Mediterranean east of 25°E also absent from the Baltic Sea, the Bosphorus and the Black Sea. A record from Egypt is doubtful.

 

Habitat and biology 

Depth range from 20 to 800 m;  the species lives on muddy bottoms in which it digs its burrows. It is nocturnal and feeds on detritus, crustaceans and worms. Ovigerous females are found practically throughout the year, the eggs laid around July are carried for about 9 months. 

The total body length of adult animals varies between 8 and 24 cm, usually it is between 10 and 20 cm.

The species is of considerable commercial value and is fished for practically throughout its range. The species is fished mostly in spring and summer. On the continental shelf, the fishery is most efficient in the very early morning, at twilight or in nights with full moon; on the continental slope, however, the fishery is most productive in daytime. It is caught mostly, by trawling, more rarely with lobster pots. 

Sold fresh and frozen; also canned, either as plain peeled tails or prepared as "bisque de langoustines". Under the Italian name Scampi (plural of Scampo) it was sold all over Europe as a highly esteemed food; but soon the name Scampi became also used for large Penaeid shrimps.