Noel's Amphipod

Noel's Amphipods are small aquatic invertebrates found in freshwater. Noel's amphipods are a brownish-green color, with kidney-shaped eyes and red stripes running along numerous different segments. They have two sets of antennae that are covered in setae, which are hair-like structures found on many invertebrates. Noel's Amphipod is also known to have 5–7 spines located near the head. Males are somewhat bigger than females, with sizes ranging from 8.5 to 14.8 millimeters.

The amphipods require clean, shallow, cool, and permanently flowing well-oxygenated waters of streams, ponds, ditches, sloughs, and springs. In addition to this, this species is very sensitive to pH changes in the water, and also requires high levels of calcium for survival. These amphipods are often found underneath stones and amongst submerged aquatic vegetation. They are extremely sensitive to water contamination and do not tolerate habitat desiccation, standing water or sedimentation. In summary, this species is very sensitive to habitat degradation.

Noel's amphipods are omnivorous and feed on algae, underwater vegetation and decaying matter. They often are seen feeding on biofilms that form on submerged aquatic vegetation; these biofilms consist of algae, diatoms, bacteria, and fungi. Microbial foods associated with periphyton or aquatic plants, such as algae and bacteria, are essential for juvenile amphipods.

Noel's amphipods complete a full life cycle in one year. Due to the short life span of the species, individuals have a fast growth rate and reach sexual maturity usually within two months. The breeding times range from February to October depending on water temperatures. When a male and female amphipod come together to mate, the male grasps the female with its gnathopods and guards her for up to seven days to defend against potential rival males. During this period of mate-guarding, the pair continue to feed and swim until the female molts. Shortly after molting, the female releases the eggs into the marsupium (egg pouch), and the male then fertilizes the eggs. The female incubates the eggs in the egg pouch until the young hatch, then releases them after a few hours or days. The Noel's amphipod produces a brood of 15 to 50 young amphipods.