Skeletons in my Ocean

Caprellidae is a family of amphipods commonly known as skeleton shrimps. Their common name denotes the threadlike slender body which allows them to virtually disappear among the fine filaments of seaweed.

Caprellids are easily recognizable from other amphipods because of their slender elongated bodies.

Caprellids are exclusively marine animals and are found in oceans worldwide. A few species are found in the ocean depths, but most prefer low intertidal zones and subtidal waters among eelgrass, hydroids and bryozoans. These little guys will hook on to anything, I've had dives where I've come out of the water and after swimming through the eel grass picked up a couple of hitchhikers. Be gentle when removing them, they are fragile and put them back where they cam from.

Thanks for reading.

Scott

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