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Idotea balthica is a dorso-ventrally flattened marine isopod crustacean which lives on seaweed and in seagrass beds in the subtidal and intertidal zone of rocky shores. It is also found on floating algal debris and is more common in sheltered habitats. I. balthica is a common food source of many species, including Cod (Gadus morhua) and Perch (Perca fluviatilis).

Distribution
Idotea balthica has a broad geographical distribution, having been recorded from the Belgian Exclusive Economic Zone, Great Britain, Cobscook Bay, Dutch Exclusive Economic Zone, Mediterranean Sea, Baltic Sea, Greek Exclusive Economic Zone, Gulf of Maine, Knokke, North West Atlantic, Red Sea, Voordelta, West Coast of Norway, Wimereux and the Black Sea.[1 ]

Diet
While commonly considered herbivores or mesograzers, Idotea balthica is actually an omnivore. It is known to eat several species of macro alga including, but not limited to Fucus vesiculosis, Fucus spirals and Cladophora glomerata. It also frequently consumes eelgrass and associated epiphytes. I. balthica also sometimes cannabalizes smaller individuals within its own species or eats other animal carrion.

Characteristics
The male is larger than female, and can reach 4 centimetres (1.6 in) long.[2 ] The carapace is yellow, brown or green with small white spots; the female is usually darker.[2 ] The species can be distinguished from other idoteids by the shape of the telson, which is dorsally keeled with straight sides in I. balthica, and has a distinct spine at the end.[2 ]

I. balthica is also distinguishable by its polychromatism and various phenotypes with the distribution and abundance of such phenotypes changing seasonally. It is also known to change colors from green to brown or occasionally red to match its habitat using color-changing melanophores.

Recreation
Idotea balthica is commonly present at many beaches in the Northeastern United States, Baltic Sea, and Mediterranean Sea. The isopods often pinch the skin of swimmers leaving the impression that they are biting, but it is actually from the legs of the isopod attaching to the skin.