Peacock mantis shrimp

Odontodactylus scyllarus · The peacock mantis shrimp is a large, colourful shrimp-like crustacean that lives on the seabed across the Indo-Pacific, from the Marianas to East Africa.

Also called Harlequin mantis shrimp, Painted mantis shrimp, Clown mantis shrimp, Peacock odontodactyl, Rainbow mantis shrimp.

Peacock mantis shrimp
Photo: Cédric Péneau, CC BY-SA 4.0
Peacock mantis shrimp
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0
Peacock mantis shrimp
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0

Taxonomy

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumArthropoda
ClassMalacostraca
OrderStomatopoda
FamilyOdontodactylidae
GenusOdontodactylus
SpeciesOdontodactylus scyllarus

Where it lives

Coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific, from East Africa to Guam.

Fun facts

  • Its eyes have 12 types of photoreceptors, the most of any animal, letting it distinguish colour and polarized light.
  • It is reported to throw the fastest recorded punch of any living animal, at over 80 km/h (50 mph).
  • Each strike packs 1,500 newtons of force, with an acceleration similar to a .22 calibre bullet fired from a handgun.
  • Its strike is so fast that it makes cavitation bubbles, which release heat when they pop and help weaken the armour of its prey.

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Facts and taxonomy adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).