Description: This caprellid reaches up to 13 mm in length and has a relatively stout body. The head and first body segment are smooth but in the following segments there are paired tubercles along the back. Some segments may have an additional tubercle, but there are no spines or acute projections. There are only a few swimming setae (hairs) on the second pair of antennae. Pereopods 3 and 4 are poorly developed. In large males gnathopod 2 is often very big.

Habitat: Found from the lower shore to shallow sublittoral, and common in rockpools and gullies. Often on algae, hydroids or bryozoans.

Distribution: Found on all coasts of Britain and Ireland, but seems to be rare on North Sea coast.

Similar Species: Could be confused with other caprellids, tubercles on back and lack of dense swimming setae on antenna 2 should help distinguish.

Key Identification Features:

• Tubercles on back, but no spines or acute projections.
• Few setae on second pair of antennae.
• Pereopods 3 and 4 poorly developed.

Distribution Map from NBN: Caprella acanthifera at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Caprella acanthifera at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Caprella acanthifera

WoRMS: Caprella acanthifera at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Caprella acanthifera Leach, 1814. AphiaID: 101822.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Arthropoda; Crustacea; Multicrustacea; Malacostraca; Eumalacostraca; Peracarida; Amphipoda; Senticaudata; Corophiida; Caprellidira; Caprelloidea; Caprellidae; Caprellinae; Caprella