General Description

Strongly laterally flattened species, with spikes along the edge of some of the segments of the abdomen and edges of the abdominal side-plates. Seven pairs of legs, first two chelate (with claws). Pale pink to bright red. Up to 20 mm long.

Biology

Small areas of marine sediments and clumps of macroalgae harbour hundreds of individuals and often many species of amphipods. Very active when disturbed, their mode of escape is the tail-flip, a rapid escape response where the abdomen flicks the animal away after the uropods are dug into the ground.

Habitat

Intertidal areas in mud under rocks, to depth of 18 m.

Soft substrates

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

South-eastern Austria, including central and eastern Victoria.

Species Group

Microcrustaceans › Amphipods

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

20 mm

Diet

Organic matter

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Species Code

sp. MoV 486

Conservation Status

• DSE Advisory List : Not listed
• EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
• IUCN Red List : Not listed