(Meigen, 1818)
Body
Large larvae with a length up to 15 mm. Living larvae are red. Fringe of swimming hairs present(Wiederholm, 1983; Moller Pillot, 1984a).
Head
The head length is 0.95 - 1.20 mm, much longer than wide with a cephalic ratio of 0,65 - 0,75. In lateral view wedge shaped (Moller Pillot, 1984a).
Antenna
The length is appr. 3/4 of the head length. The antennal segments are all yellow and the antennal ratio is 9 or more. The ring organ is situated very distally at 0.85 - 0.95 of the height of the first segment (Wiederholm, 1983; Moller Pillot, 1984a).
Mentum
Dorsomentum without large teeth but with 5 - 15 small points Cli mentum9 (Wiederholm, 1983)
Ligula and paraligula
Ligula with 5 brown teeth in a concave row. Paraligula is a long spur with a few small additional spines Cli ligula paraligula (Wiederholm, 1983; Moller Pillot, 1984a).
Mandible
The mandible is strongly hooked distally and has a large basal tooth Cli mandible (Wiederholm, 1983; Moller Pillot, 1984a)
Maxilla
The maxilla has a single basal segment (Wiederholm, 1983; Moller Pillot, 1984a).
Anal tubules
4 anal tubules which are longer than wide.
Posterior parapods
All claws on posterior parapods are yellow. No teeth on their inner margin (Wiederholm, 1983).
Differential characteristics
Clinotanypus differs from all other Tanypodinae by:
the chisel like head
the small points on the dorsomentum Cli mentum9
the high antennal ratio
the mandible curved in a right angle Cli mandible