Thysanoessa spinifera
Distribution:
Occurs from the southeastern Bering Sea to mid-Baja California.
Habitat:
Neritic; adults most commonly in depths less than 100 m.
Size:
16 - 30 mm
Diet:
Microplankton and phytoplankton.
Predators:
Important prey for fish, birds and whales.
Useful Facts or Characters:
Eyes nearly round, rostrum sharply pointed, abdominal segments 4-6 with spines.
Natural History:
Aggregations have been observed off San Diego, the Channel Islands, Monterey, San Francisco (Gulf of the Farallones), Tomales Bay, and Oregon.