Peacock mantis shrimp

Odontodactylus scyllarus

Size: 8–18 cm · 20–90 g
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Diurnal
Sociality: Solitary
Lifespan: 1-5 years

The peacock mantis shrimp is a vividly colored reef crustacean of the Indian and Pacific oceans. It is a solitary carnivore famous for powerful strikes.

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Key facts

Peacock mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus) is a carnivore animal classified as Invertebrate · Stomatopoda · Odontodactylidae.
Primary habitats are coral reef, with a range across Indian Ocean · Pacific Ocean.
Activity is diurnal, sociality is solitary, and conservation status is LC (Least Concern).
The peacock mantis shrimp is a vividly colored reef crustacean of the Indian and Pacific oceans.
It lives on tropical reefs and rubble bottoms, using holes and crevices as burrows.
Typical lifespan: 1-5 years

Sources

wikidata.org

Range

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

It lives on tropical reefs and rubble bottoms, using holes and crevices as burrows. The area around the burrow is defended as a territory.

Appearance

Length is about 8-18 cm and weight about 20-90 g. Green, orange, and blue colors, large eyes, and club-like raptorial limbs are distinctive.

Behavior

It is diurnal and solitary. From its burrow it watches the surroundings and reacts quickly to prey or intruders.

Feeding

It is carnivorous, taking snails, crabs, and small fish. The clubbed limbs deliver blows strong enough to break shells.

Reproduction

Egg guarding may occur in burrows, either by pairs or single adults. Larvae drift in the sea before settling back to reefs.

Notes

Its conservation status is LC. Its complex visual system makes it an important species in studies of animal vision.