Isopod - Astacilla longicornis

Characteristics:

It is recognized by the very long antennas, and the long back segment. The legs are attached to the front and back segments. The females can reach a length of 3 cm, the males rarely exceed 1 cm. The segment plates are smooth, without any prickles, in contrast to the four other members of this family, found in Norwegian waters.

Habitat:

This isopod lives on depths between 10 and 100 meters. If is often seen climbing in soft corals and sea pens where it filters water and catches food.

Distribution:

It is registered along the European coasts, from northern Norway to Portugal.