Caribbean Mantis Shrimp (Odontodactylus havanensis): Breeding Notes

Odontodactylus havanensis is a small Caribbean smasher mantis from sand-and-rubble burrows. It is not home-bred; like other stomatopods it tends eggs in a burrow and has a long planktonic larval stage.

Overview

Odontodactylus havanensis, the Caribbean or false peacock mantis, is native to the Caribbean and is found frequently off the Florida Keys. It is a smaller smasher that grows to nearly 3 inches (about 7.5 cm) and inhabits intricate burrows in sand, shell and coarse rubble at depths of roughly 49–164 ft (15–50 m).

Sexing

External sexing of O. havanensis is not documented in the sources reviewed. As with other stomatopods, breeding and egg care take place inside the burrow.

Spawning & Eggs/Larvae

In stomatopods, eggs are laid and kept in the burrow or carried under the female's tail until hatching. The hatched offspring may spend up to three months as plankton before settling. Stomatopods are long-lived and may breed 20–30 times over a lifetime.

Common Challenges

The extended planktonic larval phase and the deep burrowing, predatory lifestyle make captive reproduction impractical. The species is supplied to the hobby from wild collection rather than aquaculture.