# Transparent Amphipod

The Transparent Amphipod is a tiny, see-through creature that lives in freshwater habitats. It looks like a little ghost swimming in the water!

- **Category:** [Invertebrate](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/invertebrate)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Freshwater

![Transparent Amphipod](https://media.snappit.app/site-media-v1/137e42b99f31aaf7d5825df06ee21379c7b41d2b826bfea5ca5a3be5f897ad47/image-560x560/w-560.webp)

## Appearance

The Transparent Amphipod is a small, shrimp-like creature with a largely translucent or glass-like body, allowing its internal organs to be faintly visible. It has a distinctive laterally compressed, segmented form, giving it a flattened appearance from side to side. Its lack of prominent coloration makes it incredibly difficult to spot in aquatic environments.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Class:** Malacostraca
- **Order:** Amphipoda
- **Family:** Phronimidae
- **Genus:** Phronima

## Interesting facts

- Many mothers carry their tiny babies in a special pouch under their body.
- Some species can survive in extremely cold polar waters!
- Their name means 'different foot,' referring to their varied leg types!
- They often swim on their sides, which looks very unusual!

## Special abilities

- **Invisible Escape:** Transparent Amphipod can become almost invisible in water because of its clear body that helps them avoid predators.
- **Hydro-Hop:** Transparent Amphipod has powerful U-shaped bodies that help them rapidly flick and propel through water, making sudden escapes possible.
- **Waste Warrior:** Transparent Amphipod can efficiently process decaying organic matter because of specialized mouthparts that help them keep aquatic habitats clean.

## Measurements & details

- **Size:** 5-20 mm
- **Lifespan:** 90-365 days
- **Leg Count:** 14

## Diet & Feeding

These tiny scavengers munch on decaying plants and animals, helping to clean up underwater habitats.

- **Primary Foods:** decaying_plant_matter, dead_algae, microorganisms, detritus, small_invertebrate_carcasses
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** [Atlantic Cod](https://www.snappit.app/explore/atlantic-cod) (*Gadus morhua*) — A vital food source for many bottom-dwelling fish.
- **Eaten by:** [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) — An important part of freshwater trout diets.
- **Eats:** Green Alga (*Chlamydomonas reinhardtii*) — Helps control algal blooms in some aquatic systems.
- **Shelter:** Giant Kelp (*Macrocystis pyrifera*) — Finds refuge and food among kelp fronds.

## Traits

- [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.
- [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Filter Feeder](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/filter-feeder): Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water.
- [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species.
- [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs.
- [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.

## Collections

- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

When exploring freshwater areas, be careful not to disturb the delicate balance of life in the water.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Transparent Amphipod?

Compare body symmetry, shells, segments, legs, tentacles and how the animal moves. Invertebrates span many unrelated groups, so start with body structure. Invertebrate Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How big is Transparent Amphipod?

5-20 mm

### How long does Transparent Amphipod live?

90-365 days

### What does Transparent Amphipod eat?

These tiny scavengers munch on decaying plants and animals, helping to clean up underwater habitats.

### Where is Transparent Amphipod usually found?

Freshwater

### How does Transparent Amphipod hunt?

Foraging

### How many legs does Transparent Amphipod have?

14

## More Invertebrate

- [Coral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coral)
- [Crab Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crab-spider) (*Mecaphesa asperata*)
- [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Araneus diadematus*)
- [Brown Recluse Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-recluse-spider) (*Loxosceles reclusa*)

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Source: [Transparent Amphipod: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/transparent-amphipod)