Description

Also known as Checkered-eye Mantis Shrimp, Ciliated Mantis Shrimp, Common Mantis Shrimp, False Mantis Shrimp, Lagoon Mantis Shrimp, Pseudosquillid Mantis Shrimp, Rainbow Mantis Shrimp, Spearing Shrimps.

Found in shallow, to deeper waters, burrowing into mud and sandy bottoms, and in seagrass beds, also under coral boulders, and rubble, over rocky reef flats. Varies greatly in colour.
They feed nocturnally on crustaceans, fish, and worms.
Length - 9cm
Depth - 1-150m
Circumtropical

Mantis Shrimps have excellent eye sight with large eyes mounted on stalks these can swivel to give almost 360' vision.
Spearing mantis shrimps are usually found in their holes with just their heads showing, waiting for their prey.
Smashing mantis shrimps are found during the day scurrying around the reef hunting their prey, but disappearing into their holes when approached.
They can often be seen with their heads raised like a 'praying mantis', they also raise their tail as a warning.
Their large claws are used for smashing or spearing their prey.
Mantis Shrimps have been known to attack and wound divers who approach to close. Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudosquilla_ciliata