While investigating the mantis shrimp, we found mixed emotions about these marine animals. There are people who think they are great pets for aquariums and others who think they are the worst thing that could ever happen to an aquarium. To learn more about them, let’s look at their traits and nature. Then you can decide for yourself if you want to keep one or not.
Mantis shrimp are one of the most fascinating creatures that inhabit our oceans and seas. Their unusually large and powerful front appendages, almost alien-like appearance, and incredible speed have captivated the curiosity of aquarists and scientists alike.
As their name suggests, mantis shrimp resemble both a praying mantis and a shrimp. They can grow anywhere from just a couple of inches to over a foot long depending on the species. Over 400 species have been identified so far.
But one question that often pops up in relation to mantis shrimp is – are they freshwater or saltwater creatures? Let’s take a detailed look to find the answer
Mantis Shrimp Habitats – Always Marine
All mantis shrimp species without exception live in marine habitats There are no freshwater mantis shrimp species found in nature
Mantis shrimp inhabit shallow tropical and subtropical waters near the coastlines. They are found in oceans worldwide except for the Black Sea.
Some mantis shrimp species are also found in temperate waters like Southern Australia, New Zealand, and the Mediterranean. The Peacock Mantis Shrimp is notable for inhabiting the Indo-Pacific region.
These crustaceans prefer living close to the shore, near coral reefs, rock formations, and sandy sea floors. They burrow and hide in crevices or cavities for safety and to ambush prey.
So in the wild, mantis shrimp exclusively inhabit saltwater marine environments. They cannot survive in freshwater habitats.
Can Mantis Shrimp Live in Freshwater Aquariums?
Now let’s explore whether it’s possible to keep mantis shrimp in a freshwater aquarium.
The clear answer is no. Mantis shrimp will quickly perish if kept in freshwater.
Being marine creatures, mantis shrimp are physiologically adapted to live in seawater. They cannot tolerate freshwater conditions for even brief periods.
The salty marine water helps mantis shrimp maintain the internal salt concentration and fluid balance of their body. This salt regulation ability abruptly fails when they are immersed in freshwater.
As a result, the mantis shrimp dies rapidly due to the osmotic shock from the hypotonic freshwater. The loss of salts and body fluids quickly proves fatal for them.
So mantis shrimp cannot adapt to freshwater environments. Keeping them in a freshwater aquarium even for a few hours will certainly kill them.
Saltwater Aquariums Are Best for Mantis Shrimp
Saltwater aquariums replicating marine habitats are ideal for successfully keeping mantis shrimp.
They should be provided with proper marine water conditions matching their natural environment. This includes-
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Salinity – Specific gravity between 1.020 to 1.025, tested with a hydrometer
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Temperature – 72°F to 82°F depending on species
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Alkalinity – 8 to 12 dKH
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pH level – 8.0 to 8.4
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Ammonia and nitrites – 0 ppm
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Nitrates – Below 20 ppm
Creating proper water parameters is vital since mantis shrimp are quite sensitive to fluctuations. Stable conditions are necessary for good health and survival.
The aquarium needs efficient filtration and protein skimming. 10% water changes weekly help maintain water quality. Adding live rock provides ample hiding spaces.
Overall, a 30-50 gallon well-established saltwater tank is suitable for a medium-sized mantis shrimp under 4 inches long. Larger species may need bigger aquariums.
So marine saltwater aquariums are the only choice when keeping pet mantis shrimp. Recreating their natural habitats ensures they thrive in captivity.
Interesting Facts About Mantis Shrimp
Now that we’ve established mantis shrimp cannot survive in freshwater, here are some fascinating facts about these marine creatures:
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Mantis shrimp are not true shrimp but belong to the order Stomatopoda. They branched evolutionarily over 340 million years ago.
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They have 12-16 types of photoreceptors in their eyes compared to just 3 in human eyes. This gives them incredible vision.
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Mantis shrimp have the fastest strike in the animal kingdom, reaching speeds of over 50 mph with accelerations similar to a bullet.
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Their rapid punch generates cavitation bubbles that flash briefly with heat reaching over 8,000°F, creating shockwaves that stun prey.
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‘Spearer’ mantis shrimp stab soft prey with spiny appendages while ‘Smashers’ bludgeon crabs and shells with club-like appendages.
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Mantis shrimp are solitary and highly aggressive – they will kill tank mates seen as food or territorial threats.
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Species like Peacock Mantis Shrimp have brilliant colors and patterns, making them popular display aquarium pets.
What Are Mantis Shrimp?
They live in tropical waters all over the world and are in the order Stomatopoda, in the class Malacostraca, and the subclass Hoplocarida, which means “armed shrimp.” They are usually called Stomatopods, and there are what seems like a huge number of species of them. They are very good at catching and killing prey because they are carnivores and will eat almost anything. They are also very smart and sneaky hunters. They are solitary animals, and unless you have a very large tank, they should be kept alone.
There are two hunting categories, the “spearers” and the “smashers. ” The “spearers” use their spear-like claw to silently stab soft-tissued prey. The “smashers” use their forceful, club-like claw to hit, crack open or pulverize harder bodied prey. I find it interesting that the “smashers” can deliver a blow that is almost as strong as a 22-caliber bullet and are notoriously known as “thumb splitters. There are rumors that mantis shrimp are so strong that they can break aquarium glass!
Mantis shrimp are not related to shrimp, but they are called shrimp because of the parts on their front that they use to catch food. They are called “mantis” shrimp because they look like praying mantis insects and hunt in the same way.
These animals are burrowers and can create tubes or cavities in sand, rubble or mud. They will get used to living in cracks, holes, or crevices in rocks, and they may also live in snail or hermit crab shells. A mantis shrimp might even show up in your tank out of the blue because it hid too well on a live rock—they are experts at hiding!
The mantis shrimp is no wimp; some species can reach up to a length of about 12 inches. You can find a very big, six- to eight-inch species with black and white stripes on the mudflats in Hawaii. This species is not to be taken lightly.
Popping Noises: Mantis Shrimp vs. Pistol Shrimp
Some people say that if you hear popping, clicking, or snapping sounds coming from your tank, you have a mantis shrimp. Others say this is not so, that you have a pistol shrimp and not a mantis shrimp.
Of course, if you already have a pistol shrimp, you should think that’s what’s making the noise. That not withstanding, pistol shrimp are unlikely candidates for attacking or killing fish. But they will poke holes in the shells of hermit crabs, snails, and other mollusks to get to the animals inside and kill and eat them.
Because these animals naturally dig holes or tubes in sand, rubble, or mud, look for holes or tunnels in the substrate. These are usually accompanied by a mound of sand or substrate rubble piled up outside the hole. If you find a hole like this, turn down the lights in the tank and wait to see what comes out. This is also true for pistol shrimp.
Ultimate Giant Mantis Shrimp: Beginners Care Guide
Are mantis shrimp carnivorous?
Mantis shrimp are carnivorous marine crustaceans of the order Stomatopoda (from Ancient Greek στόμα (stóma) ‘mouth’, and ποδός (podós) ‘foot’). Stomatopods branched off from other members of the class Malacostraca around 340 million years ago.
What are mantis shrimp?
Found in tropical waters worldwide, hey fit into the Crustacea phylum in the class Malacostraca, subclass Hoplocarida (which means “armed shrimp”), and order Stomatopoda. They are most often referred to as Stomatopods and come in what seems like an endless variety of species.
Are mantis shrimp a pest or a pet?
Is having a mantis shrimp in your aquarium considered a pest or a pet? While investigating the mantis shrimp, we found mixed emotions about these marine animals. Some aquarists feel that they make an interesting, intriguing, and enjoyable pet to have in an aquarium, while others feel they are the total scourge of any aquarium.
Do mantis shrimp eat sand?
Most Mantis shrimp species thrive at temperatures of 72 to 80 F (22 – 26 C), and salinities of 1.018 to 1.025. Mantis shrimp are ambush predators and need places to hide. In general, a sandy substrate at the bottom of the tank is preferable. If you are planning to keep a ‘Spearer’ Mantis shrimp, the sand becomes mandatory.