InvertebrateSaltwaterIntermediateAggressive

Coloured mantis shrimp, Peacock mantis shrimp, Harlequin mantis shrimp, Painted mantis shrimp

Odontodactylus scyllarus

Also known as: peacock mantis shrimp, Peacock Mantis Shrimp

A fist-packing reef predator with vision far beyond anything we can imagine.

Coloured mantis shrimp, Peacock mantis shrimp, Harlequin mantis shrimp, Painted mantis shrimp

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About

The peacock mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus) is one of the most visually arresting animals in the ocean, dressed in a mosaic of greens, reds, oranges, and blues that looks almost too vivid to be real. Native to the warm shallow waters of the central Indo-Pacific, it lives in burrows among rubble and coral rubble zones, emerging to hunt with remarkable speed and precision. Its claim to fame is a pair of club-like appendages called dactyl clubs, which it uses to smash prey, crabs, snails, clams, with a strike so fast it briefly cavitates the water around it. The force is legendary enough to crack aquarium glass if the tank walls are thin. On top of that, its eyes contain 16 types of photoreceptors compared to our three, giving it one of the most complex visual systems of any known animal. In the aquarium, this species is best kept solo in a species-only setup. It will make short work of any tankmates and needs a secure lid, since it can and will find ways out. Despite the challenges, keepers who give it proper space and a varied meaty diet find it surprisingly interactive and aware of its surroundings.

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At a glance

Type: Invertebrate
Water: Saltwater
Origin: Central Indo-Pacific
Diet: Carnivore
Temperament: Aggressive
Reef safe: No

Care guide

House this species alone in a heavily reinforced tank with a secure, weighted lid. It will escape if given any opportunity. Provide plenty of rubble, rocks, and PVC pipes for burrow construction; it spends much of the day hidden but becomes active at dawn and dusk. Feed a varied diet of frozen shrimp, small crabs, clams, and snails several times weekly. Avoid thin glass walls, as a strike from its clubs can crack or shatter standard aquarium panels. Change water regularly to maintain stability. Never house with any other animals, including fish and invertebrates. Handle minimally and always with care, as its strike can cause serious injury to hands.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Coloured mantis shrimp, Peacock mantis shrimp, Harlequin mantis shrimp, Painted mantis shrimp aggressive?: The Coloured mantis shrimp, Peacock mantis shrimp, Harlequin mantis shrimp, Painted mantis shrimp is aggressive and is best kept alone or with robust tankmates that can hold their own.
What does the Coloured mantis shrimp, Peacock mantis shrimp, Harlequin mantis shrimp, Painted mantis shrimp eat?: The Coloured mantis shrimp, Peacock mantis shrimp, Harlequin mantis shrimp, Painted mantis shrimp is a carnivore. It needs a meaty, protein-rich diet of frozen or live foods.
Is the Coloured mantis shrimp, Peacock mantis shrimp, Harlequin mantis shrimp, Painted mantis shrimp reef safe?: The Coloured mantis shrimp, Peacock mantis shrimp, Harlequin mantis shrimp, Painted mantis shrimp is not considered reliably reef safe and may harm corals or invertebrates.