Caribbean Mantis Shrimp care guide
Caribbean Mantis Shrimp (Odontodactylus havanensis) — minimum tank 100 L, temperature 24-26 °C, pH 8.1-8.4.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Caribbean Mantis Shrimp (Odontodactylus havanensis) is a mantis shrimp (stomatopod) of the family Odontodactylidae, listed in the Aquairi knowledge base as an advanced-level species. Smaller Caribbean smasher mantis, less ornately colored than scyllarus but with similar shell-cracking power. Species-only tank required.
Taxonomy
- Family: Odontodactylidae
- Genus: Odontodactylus
- Scientific name: Odontodactylus havanensis
- Common synonyms: Havana Mantis, Caribbean Smasher
Habitat
Mantis shrimp are stomatopod crustaceans, not true shrimp, found in burrows and reef crevices of tropical and subtropical seas. They possess specialised raptorial appendages: "spearers" impale soft prey, while "smashers" deliver one of the fastest strikes in the animal kingdom, capable of cracking shells and aquarium glass. In the Aquairi knowledge base this species is recorded from Caribbean, Western Atlantic.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L (26.4 US gal)
- Adult size: 6-10 cm
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- KH: 8-12 °dKH
- Salinity (specific gravity): 1.024-1.026
- Lifespan: 3-5 years
Diet
The species is a carnivore. Spearing forms ambush soft prey such as fish and worms, while smashing forms crush snails, crabs and bivalves; in aquaria they take meaty frozen foods, shrimp and shelled molluscs.
Compatibility
The Aquairi knowledge base lists this species as a predator. Suitable tank mates include Solo only. It should be kept away from All fish, All inverts. It is a destructive predator that hunts fish and other invertebrates and is kept only in a dedicated species tank, never in a community reef.
Breeding
The female carries fertilised eggs (becoming "berried") beneath the abdomen until they hatch into planktonic larvae that drift before settling. Rearing the larvae through their pelagic stages is rated very difficult and is rarely achieved in home aquaria.
Caribbean Mantis Shrimp (Odontodactylus havanensis): Breeding Notes
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.