Peacock mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Odontodactylus scyllarus
- Common name
- Peacock mantis shrimp
- Category
- Crustaceans
- Family
- Odontodactylidae
- Genus
- Odontodactylus
- Size
- 10–18 cm
- Depth
- 3–40 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- sand, coral-reef
- Behaviours
- solitary, territorial, fast-moving
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Odontodactylus scyllarus reaches 18 cm. Spectacular stomatopod (not a true crab) with bright green-blue body covered with complex orange, red, purple patterns, red-orange tail with blue spot. Large compound eyes capable of seeing circular polarization (unique in animal kingdom, 16 photoreceptor types). Club-shaped raptorial appendages striking at 80 km/h (one of the fastest biological accelerations known, breaks aquarium glass), dedicated to breaking crabs and shells. Lives from 3 to 40 m in galleries it digs on sand and reefs of tropical Indo-Pacific. Mythical photo subject.
Photo of Peacock mantis shrimp
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Peacock mantis shrimp?
- Peacock mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus) reaches 10–18 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Peacock mantis shrimp?
- Peacock mantis shrimp is found between 3–40 m deep.
- Is the Peacock mantis shrimp dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Peacock mantis shrimp?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Peacock mantis shrimp?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Odontodactylus
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 220297)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 4316608)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia