Caprella laeviuscula

The Smooth Skeleton Shrimp

Phylum Arthropoda
Subphylum Crustacea
Class Malacostraca
Subclass Eumalacostraca
Superorder Peracarida
Order Amphipoda
Suborder Caprellidea
Infraorder Caprellida
Family Caprellidae
Genus Caprella
Species laeviuscula

Description: 3.5 cm in length; color varies from pale brown to greenish to rose; body is long, thin, smooth and jointed; two antennae, first is one third of the body length and twice as long as the second antennae; first and second thoracic appendages have grasping claws, the second appendage is much larger; next two appendages contain saclike gills; bristly grasping appendages on the last three segments are directed backward.

Habitat: Found clinging to hydroids, bushy algae and other growth.

Natural History: It is an omnivorous feeder that eats detritus, one-celled plants, small invertebrates. It is preyed upon by shrimp, sea anemones and several fish species. Females of some species of skeleton shrimp apparently kill the males after mating using a poisonous claw.