Punk'd by the Peacock

I have recently acquired a new salt water creature called a Peacock Mantis Shrimp. I have been so fascinated by this animal that I wanted to share some of it's interesting behavior. I wanted to test this animals water temperature to ensure it was remaining constant. I put in a small floating type thermometer. It bobbed once, twice and then the most horrific noise. The little punk had smashed the thermometer to bits with one punch. I'm not sure who was more stunned. Me, because he smashed my brand new thermometer or him, because he wasn't going to get to eat his "kill". I spent a great deal of time digging glass shards out of the tank after that. I had to go buy these large tweezer looking things because I can't put my hand in the tank. He wasn't real pleased about having those in the tank either. We had to argue a bit about it, but after he whacked them a few times, he left me alone. I have listed a bit of information about him for those of you that care.


*They are found in tropical waters worldwide.
*They are carnivores and will eat just about anything and everything.
*They are experts at catching and killing prey, being very clever, stealthy hunters.
*They are masters at hiding.
*They are not related to shrimp, but are referred to as shrimp because of their front appendages and how they use them to capture food.
*They are called a "Mantis" Shrimp due to the fact they resemble the appearance and have the same hunting characteristics of a praying mantis insect.
*There are two hunting categories, the "spearers" and the "smashers". The "spearers" use their spear-like claw to silently stab soft tissued prey. The "smashers" use their forceful, club-like claw to hit, crack open or pulverize harder bodied prey. It is interesting that the power of the "smashers" appendage can produce a blow close to the power of a .22 caliber bullet and are notoriously known as "thumb splitters". I have the "smasher" type. It is rumored that because of the tremendous strength these animals have, they can crack aquarium glass.
*These animals are burrowers, and can create tubes or cavities in sand, rubble or mud.
*They will adapt to living in holes, cracks or crevices in rocks, and may take up residence in snail or hermit crab shells as well.
*They are solitary animals, and unless you have a VERY large tank, they should be kept alone.

*Mantis shrimp can grow up to about ten inches in length and are fast moving. They eat crabs, anemones, and fish, among other things, and if kept in an aquarium with other fish, they will eventually eat them all. They dig burrows and live in crevices in reefs and rocks.

Cool....:)