WHATSTHATFISH
Crustaceans

Miles Mantis Shrimp

Distosquilla miles

Also known as: Martial Mantis Shrimp, Miles Spearing Mantis Shrimp, Praying Mantis, Praying Mantis Shrimp, Spearing Mantis Shrimp, Squillid Mantis Shrimp, Yellow Mantis Shrimp

Adult
@fishx6 · Lembeh, Indonesia · August 20081 / 2
01

Overview

Found singly, in burrows, under rocks, and stones, close to algae, detritus, and seagrass cover, along shorelines to shallow sub-tidal areas of reefs.

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.

02

How to identify

COLOURS

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03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-West Pacific
  • Country only · 2
LIVES IN

Found singly, in burrows, under rocks, and stones, close to algae, detritus, and seagrass cover, along shorelines to shallow sub-tidal areas of reefs.

04

Adult photos 2

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumArthropoda
    3. classMalacostraca
    4. orderStomatopoda
    5. familySquillidae
    6. genusDistosquilla
    7. speciesDistosquilla miles (Hess, 1865)

    SourcesWoRMS

    06

    More in the family

    Stomatopoda