Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
.jpg "Odontodactylus scyallarus (Peacock Mantis Shrimp)")
Not Reef Tank Suitable
Not Suitable for Fish-Only Tank
This is one of the most dreaded shrimp in any aquarium that contains fish or invertebrate. Some can get quite large, and I have personally seen specimens that appeared to be about 10 inches (25 cm) in Mexico waters. They look quite similar to their terrestrial counterpart the "Praying Mantis" hence their name. These are awesome predators, and are armed with powerful appendages that can destroy hard-shelled prey. They can easily smash the shells of snails, crabs, clams, easily capture fish, eat feather dusters/hard tube worms, and can split your finger right down the middle!
Pistol Shrimp make a sound similar to a single 22 caliber shot, however, mantis shrimp also make a noise, yet theirs is more like a machine gun, i.e., having a series of slightly less loud shots. It a good way to tell whether it's a mantis or pistol shrimp!
None are suitable of the average home aquarium.
