Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Crustacea

Subclass: Malacostraca

Order: Decapoda

Suborder: Pleocyemata

Infraorder: Caridea

Family: Hippolytidae

Scientific name: Hippolyte varians

 

Norwegian: sjøgressreke

(Børsa - The Trondheim fjord / 6 meters / 1.28.2009)

Distribution: It is distributed along most of the Norwegian coast, as far north as Nordland. It is usually seen in shallow waters, but has been reported as deep as 150 meters.

Characteristics: This little prawn, maximum length is 3 cm, has earned its name. It comes in a wide specter of colors; red, yellow, brown, green or blue. The color adapts to the surroundings. During the night it always changes color to bluish green. The short carapace (head armor) has a single little spine.

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