Live Scud (Amphipoda) Please Note This Is A Live Science Specimen
The Scud (Amphipoda) is a small, laterally flattened crustacean commonly found beneath intertidal seaweeds on fine sand or mud substrates. These agile swimmers are an essential part of the coastal food web, serving as prey for fish and other invertebrates while playing a vital role in breaking down organic material.
Their quick darting movements and ability to blend into seaweed make them a fascinating addition to classroom aquaria, touch tanks, or ecological studies of intertidal habitats. Despite their small size, scuds are highly active and excellent examples of crustacean adaptation in the Gulf of Maine’s nearshore ecosystems.
Common name: Scud Scientific name:Amphipoda Locations: Underneath intertidal seaweed on fine substrate Seasonality: Available year-round Colors: Black, dark green Size: ¼” – ½” Collected: By hand Quantity: Sold by the each
Uses: Excellent for live aquaria, ecological food web demonstrations, or coastal invertebrate identification labs.
Note: This is a live marine specimen. Natural variations in size, color, and appearance from photos should be expected. If you would like any specimen preserved, please send a request to: info@gulfofme.com.
Live Scud (Amphipoda) Please Note This Is A Live Science Specimen
The Scud (Amphipoda) is a small, laterally flattened crustacean commonly found beneath intertidal seaweeds on fine sand or mud substrates. These agile swimmers are an essential part of the coastal food web, serving as prey for fish and other invertebrates while playing a vital role in breaking down organic material.
Their quick darting movements and ability to blend into seaweed make them a fascinating addition to classroom aquaria, touch tanks, or ecological studies of intertidal habitats. Despite their small size, scuds are highly active and excellent examples of crustacean adaptation in the Gulf of Maine’s nearshore ecosystems.
Common name: Scud Scientific name:Amphipoda Locations: Underneath intertidal seaweed on fine substrate Seasonality: Available year-round Colors: Black, dark green Size: ¼” – ½” Collected: By hand Quantity: Sold by the each
Uses: Excellent for live aquaria, ecological food web demonstrations, or coastal invertebrate identification labs.
Note: This is a live marine specimen. Natural variations in size, color, and appearance from photos should be expected. If you would like any specimen preserved, please send a request to: info@gulfofme.com.
Turn some stones with Tidepool Tim as he hunts for this common beach amphipod under stones on the beach.
A scud on cobbly beach substrate in the intertidal zone.
Tidepool Tim says, “Lift a rockweed plant up off the beach and watch these little guys “side-swim” toward the holdfast of the plant for cover. They’re usually less than ¾” long, but easy to spot in large groups. These creatures look very similar to shrimp, but look closer - they have no hard shell!”
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