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Mantis and Pistol Shrimps

The Mantis shrimps are an awe-inspiring predator, being extremely well adapted to the job of being a high level predator. These animals are very active hunters, and are lightning quick at lashing out with some seriously damage inflicting weaponry. Their main claw lies folded under the front of the body much like a preying mantis holds it’s forelegs. This is where the name Mantis Shrimp comes from. During a strike at prey, this claw’s unfolding motion can take less than 8 milliseconds, imparting a force close to what is delivered by a small caliber bullet. It is one of the fastest animal actions so far recorded.

A mantis shrimp has one of the most complex vision systems known as well just to add to their resume; trinocular vision. This super vision is required to give the degree of accuracy that is vital to capture fish at the speed of the motions involved. Just to add to the mix, the animals possess a reasonably formidable intelligence. All in all we humans are very lucky that these are small & wet and not in the business of hunting us!

A mantis shrimp is usually detected in an aquarium when some of the aquarium’s inhabitants start mysteriously disappearing. A loud clicking noise similar to that of a 20 cent piece being stuck against glass is also heard. The shrimps are widely variable in colouration and size, and also come with either a spearing mechanism or a highly calcified “club” appendage that they use in their attacks.

This photo is indicative of the “average” look of a Mantis shrimp. (if there is such a thing as an average mantis)

These animals can make very intriguing pets, but most people see them purely as vermin. If you are intending to keep one as a pet, then it is important to treat them with a great deal of respect, as they have won the title of “Thumbsplitter” quite rightly. In the average aquarium removal of these guys is achieved by a lot of hard work and frustrated efforts in trapping them. Be warned that these guys will rarely return to a failed trap, so be sure you’ve got him before you pull the trap. Talk to our staff about ways of going about getting these little guys. There are some very good traps available, and the judicious use of some other methods can help in control.

The pistol shrimp is less of a problem in the average aquarium, but they can still cause some losses. These guys are usually in possession of one claw that is grossly enlarged compared to the scale of the animal’s body.