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Size
Up to 7 inches (18 cm) -
Diet
Crustaceans and mollusks -
Range
Indo-Pacific -
Habitat
Found in coral reefs and sand flats
Physical Characteristics
- Flattened, segmented body with large blunt appendages held under the head.
- Large, compound eyes are capable of complex vision. While human eyes can see through three photoreceptors for light detection- red, blue and green, the mantis shrimp has 12 photoreceptors allowing them to see even more wavelengths of color.
- Eyes can move independently and in every direction.
- Bright, rainbow-hued animal. Males are more flashy, females will usually be redder overall.
- Adults may grow up to 7 inches (18 cm).
Animal Fact
The peacock mantis shrimp is a bright, rainbow-hued animal. Males are more flashy, while females will usually be redder overall.
Diet / Feeding
- Diurnal, opportunistic feeder.
- Diet consists mainly of crustaceans and mollusks.
- Uses fast, club-like appendages to strike its prey. This impact is very strong, and can easily stun, kill or break apart prey. Full extension of appendages may take as few as three milliseconds.
Range / Habitat
- Occurs in Indo-Pacific, south of Japan and north of Australia.
- Found in coral reefs and sand flats in depths up to 130 feet (40 m).
- Digs U-shaped burrows they emerge from when hunting.
Reproduction & Growth
- An oviparous, or egg-laying, species. Females will carry eggs in their front appendages before hatching to protect them and keep them clean.
- Some individuals may create monogamous pairs that mate for life.
Conservation Status
- “Not Evaluated” on the IUCN Red List.
Additional Information
- More than 350 species of mantis shrimps.
- Named for its resemblance to the terrestrial praying mantis.
Sources
- Coral Reef Animals of the Indo-Pacific, Gosliner/Behrens/Williams.
- Animaldiversity.org
- Oceana.org
- Britannica.com
