spearer mantis shrimp
Lysiosquillina maculata
A bold, burrow-dwelling predator with a lightning-fast spearing strike.
About
The spearer mantis shrimp (Lysiosquillina maculata) is one of the largest mantis shrimp species you're likely to encounter, and it's genuinely unlike anything else in the invertebrate hobby. Native to shallow sandy and rubble habitats across the Indo-West Pacific, including waters around New Caledonia and Réunion, this species digs deep U-shaped burrows and spends most of its time lurking at the entrance, waiting to ambush passing prey with a rapid, raking strike from its specialized appendages. That spearing strike, designed to impale soft-bodied prey like fish and shrimp rather than smash hard-shelled prey, is fast enough to be nearly invisible to the naked eye. The body is boldly patterned with dark spots and banding across a pale base, making it genuinely impressive when it does emerge. Housing one requires a deep sand bed to satisfy its burrowing instinct, and any tankmates will almost certainly become a meal. A species-only setup is really the only sensible approach. Because of its specialized needs and its ability to destroy a carelessly planned tank, this one sits firmly in intermediate territory. Not impossible for a dedicated keeper, but not a first invertebrate by any stretch.
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with spearer mantis shrimp
Frequently asked questions
- Is the spearer mantis shrimp aggressive?
- The spearer mantis shrimp is aggressive and is best kept alone or with robust tankmates that can hold their own.
- What does the spearer mantis shrimp eat?
- The spearer mantis shrimp is a carnivore. It needs a meaty, protein-rich diet of frozen or live foods.