Description: This caprellid grows up to 25 mm and has conspicuous projections on the back of the head and upper thorax, with the rest of the thorax and abdomen smooth or with small tubercles. There is a large forward pointing spine on the head that is particularly noticeable. Pereopods 3 and 4 are present, towards the centre of the animal on the thorax, but they are very much reduced, with only 2 segments or articles. The first set of antennae are long, about 2/3 the length of the entire body.

Habitat: Found sublittorally on algae and larger hydroids.

Distribution: Found all around Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: Could be confused with other caprellids; this species has projections or spines on top of head and upper parts of body only, which helps distinguish.

Key Identification Features:

• Conspicuous projections/spines on head and upper body.
• Rest of body smooth or only has very small tubercles.
• Pereopods 3 and 4 present but not well developed.

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

iNaturalist: Pseudoprotella phasma at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

GBIF data for Pseudoprotella phasma

WoRMS: Pseudoprotella phasma at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Pseudoprotella phasma (Montagu, 1804). AphiaID: 101871.

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