This amphipod is known from Europe to Turkey; adults have projections along the back.
In adults, the colour of living specimens varies among localities, including green, yellow, brown, and grey.
In western Europe it lives in middle and lower river reaches with moderate currents and without extreme temperature fluctuations.
It is also recorded from Lake Skadar and Lake Ohrid.
Adults have three or four dorsal projections. Four are more common in western European populations and three in southeastern European populations.
Among adults, females are smaller than males, with less dense, shorter setae on the second antenna and walking legs.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.