Peacock Mantis Shrimp

Also known as Painted Mantis Shrimp, Clown Mantis Shrimp

The Peacock Mantis Shrimp is an incredibly colorful and intelligent invertebrate that captivates aquarists with its stunning rainbow coloration and fascinating predatory behavior. Native to the Indo-Pacific, this “smasher” mantis shrimp is famous for its powerful raptorial appendages capable of breaking through shells and even aquarium glass if not housed properly.

Key Features

• Scientific Name: Odontodactylus scyllarus
• Common Names: Peacock Mantis Shrimp, Painted Mantis Shrimp, Clown Mantis Shrimp, Harlequin Mantis Shrimp
• Adult Size: Up to 7 inches
• Lifespan: 3–6 years; some reports up to 20 years with exceptional care
• Temperament: Extremely aggressive and territorial – highly predatory
• Reef Compatibility: NOT reef safe – will destroy corals, invertebrates, and small fish
• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons minimum; 50+ gallons preferred for full-grown adults
• Experience Level: Expert – requires specialized housing and understanding of aggressive behavior

Habitat & Tank Requirements

• Tank Environment: MUST be housed in acrylic or extremely thick glass aquarium (minimum 1/2 inch). Provide a deep sand bed (3–4 inches) and rubble rock for burrow construction. Single specimen only unless breeding. Rockwork must be stable as they will rearrange their territory.
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: 72–78°F (22–26°C)
  • Salinity: 1.023–1.025
  • pH: 8.1–8.4
  • Maintain excellent water quality with regular water changes
• Equipment Recommendations:
  • Heavy-duty filtration – they are messy eaters
  • Protein skimmer essential
  • Secure, heavy aquarium lid – they can and will escape
  • Moderate water flow
  • WARNING: Their strikes can crack standard aquarium glass. Acrylic or reinforced glass is strongly recommended.

Diet & Feeding

Peacock Mantis Shrimp are voracious carnivores and active hunters:

• Staples: Live or frozen crustaceans (shrimp, crabs), live feeder fish, mollusks (clams, mussels, snails), frozen krill, raw seafood (shrimp, scallops, fish)
• Shell-on Foods: Provide prey with shells to encourage natural smashing behavior and help wear down their raptorial appendages
• Feeding Frequency: 2–3 times per week; adjust based on size and activity
• Special Note: Extremely messy feeders. Remove uneaten food promptly to prevent water quality degradation. They may cache food in their burrows.

Social Structure & Behavior

• Solitary Species: MUST be kept alone except for breeding purposes
• Territorial: Extremely aggressive toward any other tank inhabitants
• Intelligence: Among the most intelligent invertebrates; can recognize individual humans and learn to associate feeding times with specific people
• Vision: Possess the most complex eyes in the animal kingdom with 16 color receptors (humans have 3)
• Hunting Method: “Smashers” that use club-like appendages to strike prey with incredible force (equivalent to a .22 caliber bullet)
• Burrow Dwellers: Spend much time in burrows, emerging to hunt

Notes & Considerations

• This is a species-only display animal – no tank mates of any kind.
• Their strikes can generate cavitation bubbles and produce temperatures comparable to the sun’s surface at the point of impact.
• Can cause serious injury to aquarists if handled improperly – use extreme caution during maintenance.
• May smash aquarium heaters, powerheads, and thermometers – protect equipment.
• Fascinating to observe but requires dedicated setup and commitment.
• Not suitable for community tanks or traditional reef aquariums.
• Their complex vision system and color displays are subjects of ongoing scientific research.
• May produce audible clicking sounds when striking.
• Molts regularly; vulnerable period immediately after molting.

Why Choose a Quarantined Peacock Mantis Shrimp?

Purchasing a quarantined specimen from us means you’re receiving a robust, well-fed animal that has been observed for health and feeding behavior. Our specimens are acclimated to captive conditions and feeding on prepared foods, reducing the stress of transition and giving you the best foundation for successfully maintaining this remarkable but challenging species.