Chameleon prawn

Chameleon prawn - Hippolyte varians

 
 is a small species of prawn, reaching lengths of up to 3.2 cm but typically smaller. The prawn's coloration is highly variable, mirroring its common name, and can range from red, brown, green, speckled reddish-brown, to nearly transparent with red and yellow patches, varying with its habitat. Characterized by a straight or slightly upturned rostrum tip that remains undivided, the species boasts a rostrum almost as long as the carapace, featuring a single tooth on its upper surface. Additionally, there is a spine or tooth positioned just above, and two spines located below each eye. Hippolyte varians may exhibit tufts of setae on the upper carapace and abdominal segments (pleonites), with the first pair of thoracic limbs noticeably shorter than the subsequent four pairs. The telson of this species is equipped with two pairs of lateral spines.Utilizing its variable coloration as a form of camouflage during daylight hours, the chameleon prawn transitions to a transparent bluish-green hue at night, regardless of its surroundings. This species breeds year-round, with heightened activity typically observed during the summer months. Hippolyte varians is susceptible to infestation by the bopyrid isopod Bopyrina ocellata, as noted by Smaldon in 1993.