Description: Broader than it is long, making it roughly diamond shaped, the carapace length can be up to 12 mm. The carapace is brick red with spots of darker red, and is covered in bumps (tubercles) on the surface and edges, many of which are ‘bead-like’ and prominent. The many tubercles give this Ebalia a distinctive appearance. The pincers are equal in size and relatively long and slender, and covered in tubercles. The walking legs are also slender and covered in tubercles. Carapace outline is distinct from other Ebalia species.

Habitat: A deep-water species, reported from 80 m to around 3000 m, on muddy or sandy substrate.

Distribution: A few scattered records from around Britain and Ireland. A deep-water species so perhaps not often recorded.

Similar Species: Could be confused with other Ebalia species. Careful inspection of carapace shape required. Ebalia nux has long slender pincers and is covered in prominent tubercles.

Key Identification Features:

• Broader than it is long giving ‘diamond’ shape distinctive to Ebalia.
• Carapace, pincers and walking legs covered in prominent tubercles.
• Brick-red in colour, with some darker red spots.
• Relatively long, slender pincers.

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

iNaturalist: Ebalia nux at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Ebalia nux at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Ebalia nux A. Milne-Edwards, 1883. AphiaID: 107299.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Arthropoda; Crustacea; Multicrustacea; Malacostraca; Eumalacostraca; Eucarida; Decapoda; Pleocyemata; Brachyura; Eubrachyura; Heterotremata; Leucosioidea; Leucosiidae; Ebaliinae; Ebalia