Plesionika narval

Appearance

Plesionika narval is a crustacean that measures up to 10 cm long without its rostrum. This one, very large, reaches two and a half times the length of the carapace. It has on its upper and lower sides many small sharp teeth. The narval shrimp has long highly mobile antenna it uses to explore its environment. The eyes are large and prominent. Its carapace continues with an abdomen that tightens sharply in the second half giving it a distinctive look. It is pale pink with thin white stripes framed with orange stripes to bright red. Antennae, rostrum and legs are bright red. Antennules vary from white to red. The eyes are blue as well as the eggs that are carried beneath the abdomen.

Naming

Synonyms
Astacus narual Fabricius, 1787
Nisea formosa Risso, 1844
Palaemon tarentinum O.G. Costa, 1844
Palemon pristis Risso, 1816
Pandalus escatilis Stimpson, 1860
Pandalus stylopus A. Milne-Edwards, 1883
Parapandalus narval (Fabricius, 1787)

Habitat

This shade-loving species lives in dense groups. It burrows in the mud and sand, or takes refuge among the rocks and in the cavities devoid of light.