We've identified sea-creatures that were captured by the father of Sam Kanizay, who was injured on Brighton Beach, as lysianassid amphipods, a type of scavenging crustacean.
Our marine biologist Genefor Walker-Smith examined a sample collected by the family and said the creatures are naturally-occurring scavengers, which commonly bite but do not usually cause these kind of injuries.
It's possible the amphipods contained an anti-coagulant, which would account for the inabilit...y to stop the flowing blood and that the very cold water may be the reason Sam didn't feel the bites.
The amphipods have no venomous properties and will not cause lasting damage.
Amphipods are sometimes referred to as “sea fleas”. Media reports have described the attackers as “sea lice” but that term is usually used to refer to isopods, a different group of crustaceans.