Description: This is a small caprellid, only growing up to 7 mm. It has a smooth body and head, lacking projections or spines. Pereopods 3 and 4 are not well developed, and are reduced to a single seta (hairlike projection). Pereopod 5 is also poorly developed in this species and is reduced to 2 segments or articles. First set of antennae only around 1/3 length of the body. Gnathopods (grasping appendages near the head, resembling claws) bear spines, the first set have short obtuse spines and the second set has a strong poison spine and a tooth near the middle.

Habitat: Sublittoral or lower shore. Seems to prefer coarse sand. Often found in association with the common starfish Asterias rubens and the common sunstar Crossaster papposus, and is often found on their backs.

Distribution: Found all around Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: Could be confused with other caprellids, careful inspection of the pereopods combined with other features should help distinguish it from other species.

Key Identification Features:

• Small caprellid, only around 7 mm.
• Smooth body and head.
• Pereopods 3 and 4 reduced to only a single seta.
• Pereopod 5 also poorly developed (only 2 articles).
• Associated with Asterias rubens and Crossaster papposus.

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

iNaturalist: Pariambus typicus at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Pariambus typicus

WoRMS: Pariambus typicus at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Pariambus typicus (Krøyer, 1845). AphiaID: 101857.

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