Is the Peacock Mantis Shrimp Actually a Shrimp?

The vibrantly colored peacock mantis shrimp has become a popular species to keep in saltwater aquariums Their striking patterns and formidable hunting abilities fascinate aquarists and researchers alike But despite the name, are mantis shrimp actually a true shrimp species?

The short answer is no. While mantis shrimp look somewhat similar to shrimp they come from an entirely different biological order with their own unique attributes. In this article we’ll take a look at how mantis shrimp like the peacock mantis differ from true shrimp, and why they received their misleading common name.

What Is a Mantis Shrimp?

Mantis shrimp belong to the order Stomatopoda, containing over 450 species across 16 families. Most live in shallow, tropical marine waters, but some inhabit temperate and even freshwater environments.

They have elongated bodies, large eyes on movable stalks, and powerful raptorial front appendages. Mantid shrimp use these club-like appendages to smash, spear or trap prey with incredible speed and force.

Some of the most popular aquarium species kept are:

• Peacock mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus)
• Zebra mantis shrimp (Lysiosquillina maculata)
• Boxer mantis shrimp (Gonodactylus bredini)

Mantis shrimp live solitary lives in burrows or rock crevices, emerging to ambush passing prey. Despite the name, they are not closely related to true shrimp or the praying mantis insect. So how did they end up with such a confusing moniker?

Why Are They Called Mantis Shrimp?

Early taxonomists noticed the raptorial forelimbs of mantis shrimp resembled the grasping front legs of the praying mantis insect. This physical resemblance led to them being dubbed “mantis shrimp” even though the two species are not biologically related.

The shrimp part of the name comes from their superficial similarity to true shrimp in terms of size, shape and habitat. With elongated bodies, stalked eyes, and presence in marine environments, mantis shrimp do share some physical traits with shrimp.

However, they belong to entirely different classes of crustaceans. True shrimp are decapods in the order Decapoda along with lobsters, crabs and prawns. Mantis shrimp belong to the order Stomatopoda, making them more closely related to marine isopods like pillbugs.

So the name “mantis shrimp” is based purely on visual similarities, not any actual taxonomic relationship. This can create confusion about whether or not mantis shrimp are true shrimp. Next, we’ll look at some key differences that set mantis shrimp apart.

How Mantis Shrimp Differ From True Shrimp

Despite somewhat shrimp-like appearances, mantis shrimp have a number of unique specialized adaptations that distinguish them from true shrimp species:

Appendages

• True shrimp have slender, smaller legs specialized for swimming. Mantis shrimp front appendages are thick and powerful, used as weapons.

Eyes

• Shrimp have stalked compound eyes. Mantis shrimp eyes sit on protruding cups that can rotate independently up to 70 degrees.

Vision

• Thanks to 4 spectral bands, mantis shrimp have the most complex vision in the animal kingdom. They see polarized light and a wide spectrum of colors most animals cannot.

Activity Level

• Shrimp tend to swim around constantly searching for food. Mantis shrimp are ambush predators that remain sedentary, emerging quickly to attack.

Habitat

• Most shrimp live in open water. Mantis shrimp spend much time sheltered in burrows and crevices they construct themselves.

Reproduction

• Shrimp release eggs directly into the water. Mantis shrimp carefully guard their eggs in an underground brood chamber until hatching.

Defense

• True shrimp may release ink or deploy camouflage to avoid threats. Mantis shrimp use their raptorial appendages to aggressively attack predators.

So while mantis shrimp share some superficial physical traits with true shrimp, they are a unique crustacean order with specialized adaptations not seen in shrimp. Their impressive hunting abilities and visual systems set them apart.

Unique Abilities of Mantis Shrimp

Two key attributes make mantis shrimp stand out among marine crustaceans: their extremely powerful strike and their visual capabilities.

Deadly Strike

Mantis shrimp can strike prey with their raptorial appendages at speeds exceeding 50 mph. They generate forces up to 1,500 Newtons, delivering devastating blows with the impact of a 22-caliber bullet.

This incredible punch comes from a spring-loaded saddle structure in the appendage that latches then releases massive power in an instant. Researchers study this mechanism to improve applications from body armor to car safety systems.

Unmatched Vision

Mantis shrimp possess the most complex eyes in the animal kingdom. They have up to 16 photoreceptor types compared to our 3, allowing them to see a spectrum of colors including ultraviolet, polarized light, and even hyperspectral imaging.

Their eyes move independently on stalks giving a wider field of view. The numerous adaptations give mantis shrimp unmatched visual abilities underwater.

Mantis Shrimp Care in Aquariums

Many aquarists prize peacock mantis shrimp for their striking colors and behaviors. However, they require complex care different than that of true shrimp:

• Cannot be kept with other mantis shrimp or they will fight. Also likely to attack fish tankmates.
• Require at least a 30 gallon tank with a sandy substrate for burrowing.
• Demand excellent filtration and water quality. Nitrate levels must be kept very low.
• Can easily break glass, so require an acrylic tank or very thick glass.
• May eat ornamental shrimp intended as tank cleaners. Best kept alone.
• Require calcium and iodine supplements added to their diet for proper exoskeleton growth.
• Prone to starvation if not fed live foods they can hunt like snails, crabs and mussels.

So mantis shrimp demand very different care than shrimp, and have special requirements. Their powerful hunting abilities and excavating nature require specific tank setups.

A Unique Crustacean Order

While often still referred to as a “shrimp” for historical reasons, the peacock mantis shrimp Odontodactylus scyllarus is actually a very unique type of crustacean. Their taxonomic order Stomatopoda sets them apart with specialized hunting appendages, visual systems, defenses and behaviors unlike any true shrimp species.

Hopefully this article helped explain exactly how mantis shrimp like the colorful peacock mantis differ greatly from true shrimp. Their misleading name causes confusion, but they are fascinating marine animals in a class of their own.