Odontodactylus scyllarus

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Peacock mantis shrimp
French : Squille multicolore

Classification
Class : Malacostraca
Order : Stomatopoda
Family : Odontodactylidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can grow to 18 cm in length. Shell is bright green (greyer for females). Cephalothorax is greenish with dark spots on sides. Very big pedunculated eyes. Paddle-like extentions on side of head and abdomen are bright red and green.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from East Africa to south Japan and north Australia, east to Indonesia and Hawaii. Found in coral reefs, rocky reefs, areas with rubble, down to 40 meters.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NOT LISTED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The specie’ status has yet to be assessed but it seems to be faily common. It is collected for the trade and could also suffer from coral reef destruction.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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