Mantis shrimp spotted....

It's totally effing adorable and awesome!!! You do NOT need an acrylic tank. There is absolutely no evidence of a stomatopod breaking aquarium glass. It is all theoretical and mythical. To me it looks like a Wennerae species, they only get roughly 2.5" and aren't aggressive toward fishies (inverts will become food most likely). It could easily live in a small 5 gallon tank by itself, even with some low light corals. As I said, they don't need strong lighting. In fact, if they are stuck in strong lighting with no place to hide they gain an inside out shell rotting disease, not pretty. If there is anything you are wondering let me know, Mantis Shrimp ownership rocks! Here are some videos of my little Wennerae guy, my fiancee and I named him Mario because of his red color and for the smash bros. reference. I actually purchased him for $20 I think. Feel free to view my other videos, I have a couple in there from Mario and my big guy Luigi, who is my current stomatopod.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdtFI6WtWbI

PLEASE NOTE

I am not saying it is the smaller Wennerae, just looks like it from the photos you were able to take. Right now it's so small I wouldn't worry, but I would move it as soon as possible regardless. Not cool worrying about your tank being housed by a very aggressive hitchhiker. But seriously, if you can make a small tank for it, I would. You won't regret it.
 
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There haven't been any additions to the sump in the past 8+ months, but I'm not familiar with the growth rate of mantis(es)(ii)

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Detroit! He looks just like pepe! That's awesome. Are they related to pistol shrimp or is that punching a common behavior? That really is creepy though, but cool. - N


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Nah, they have no relation to any shrimp, lobster or crab. They are simply their own species called stomatopod. They were given the nickname "Mantis Shrimp" obviously due to their claws or raptorial appendages resembling an insect Mantis in combination with the shrimp / lobster like body.

Their claws vary in two different classes the hammer like "Smashers" and the more resemblance of an insect mantis the "Spearers". Smashers normally just smash inverts and their protective shells, however, larger species will prey on smaller or wounded fish. The Smashing claw also has a small dagger like instrument that they can snap out to "stab" their prey or intruders... My dad felt that one, put a nice gash in his thumb. Smashers are a cave dwelling species and spend a lot of time through out the day carving, digging and moving around their homes. The Spearers make their homes in the substrate and mostly prey on fish that happen to swim by. The Spearers seem to be more rare as a hitch hiker as they don't hang around live rock as often, however, they are a huge worry if you happen to get one as a hitch hiker. They will pick off smaller fish with ease and at a lightening quick pace!

Their reaction, speed and power behind these claw movements are still studied today. It was believed to be the quickest accelerating movement in the animal kingdom. Only recently (like a few years now recently) they have been over taken as the Clap Jaw Ants now hold the record of the quickest accelerating movement. However, stomatopods still have the most sophisticated eyes of all the world. They see in multiple spectrums at once such as color (way better than us), ultra violet, infrared and I think a few others. My mantis will study a soda / beer can for many minutes before becoming bored with it. They also see extremely far, like my current yasha gobies. I have notice my mantis paying attention to me from across my home, pretty crazy.

Lastly they move extremely well, they can turn on a dime so that they can rotate around in their small homes. They are also excellent swimmers, although they rarely leave their homes as another mantis will quickly take it over. Therefore, they are extremely territorial and hostile to intruders which will quickly feel a whack and probably become food.
 
What a trip. I'd definatly keep one around if I found it, too cool to let go - N
 
xDetroitMetalx said:
Nah, they have no relation to any shrimp, lobster or crab. They are simply their own species called stomatopod. They were given the nickname "Mantis Shrimp" obviously due to their claws or raptorial appendages resembling an insect Mantis in combination with the shrimp / lobster like body.

Their claws vary in two different classes the hammer like "Smashers" and the more resemblance of an insect mantis the "Spearers". Smashers normally just smash inverts and their protective shells, however, larger species will prey on smaller or wounded fish. The Smashing claw also has a small dagger like instrument that they can snap out to "stab" their prey or intruders... My dad felt that one, put a nice gash in his thumb. Smashers are a cave dwelling species and spend a lot of time through out the day carving, digging and moving around their homes. The Spearers make their homes in the substrate and mostly prey on fish that happen to swim by. The Spearers seem to be more rare as a hitch hiker as they don't hang around live rock as often, however, they are a huge worry if you happen to get one as a hitch hiker. They will pick off smaller fish with ease and at a lightening quick pace!

Their reaction, speed and power behind these claw movements are still studied today. It was believed to be the quickest accelerating movement in the animal kingdom. Only recently (like a few years now recently) they have been over taken as the Clap Jaw Ants now hold the record of the quickest accelerating movement. However, stomatopods still have the most sophisticated eyes of all the world. They see in multiple spectrums at once such as color (way better than us), ultra violet, infrared and I think a few others. My mantis will study a soda / beer can for many minutes before becoming bored with it. They also see extremely far, like my current yasha gobies. I have notice my mantis paying attention to me from across my home, pretty crazy.

Lastly they move extremely well, they can turn on a dime so that they can rotate around in their small homes. They are also excellent swimmers, although they rarely leave their homes as another mantis will quickly take it over. Therefore, they are extremely territorial and hostile to intruders which will quickly feel a whack and probably become food.
Click to expand...

This guy has a hole in the sand under a piece of LR

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Yeah, I can tell he is a smasher just by his eyes. The spearers and smashers have a different set of eye stalks. There really isn't a huge rush to get him out of there yet, but if you want to keep him I would start setting up the small tank very soon. They are also easy to sex if you're interested... Males have their sexual organs in the middle of their body and females don't.

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthro...ca/eumalacostraca/royslist/images/l_lisa3.jpg
 
What's the likelihood of it being a peacock?

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