Roy's List of Stomatopods for the Aquarium
Stomatopods are a diverse group...

Stomatopods are an ancient group of marine predators that are only distantly related to other more familiar crustaceans such as crabs, shrimp and lobsters. While most occur in shallow tropical marine waters, a few species are found in more temperate seas. Over the past few years, stomatopods, or mantis shrimp as they are commonly known, have become popular among aquarists and are becoming increasingly available from suppliers of marine invertebrates. While there are currently over 500 species of stomatopods recognized, only a handful of species are commonly found in the aquarium trade. In fact, over the years I have seen fewer than 40 species being sold or arriving as hitchhikers. To help with the identification and care of these stomatopods, I have provided the following list which is arranged alphabetically by genus. Hopefully this will aid you in identifying and maintaining these fascinating creatures.

Roy's signature Roy Caldwell
 

External Anatomy and Explanatory Notes

Species Directory

Acanthosquilla derijardi

Alachosquilla vicina

Alima pacifica

Bigelowina biminiensis

Busquilla plantei

Chorisquilla hystrix

Chorisquilla excavata

Chorisquilla tweediei

Cloridopsis dubia

Coronis scolopendra

Echinosquilla guerinii

Fallosquilla fallax

Gonodactylellus annularis

Gonodactylellus espinosus

Gonodactylaceus falcatus

Gonodactylaceus glabrous

Gonodactylaceus graphurus

Gonodactylaceus ternatensis

Gonodactylellus affinis

Gonodactylellus caldwelli

Gonodactylellus viridis

Gonodactylus childi

Gonodactylus chiragra

Gonodactylus platysoma

Gonodactylus smithii

Haptosquilla banggai

Haptosquilla glyptocercus

Haptosquilla hamifera

Haptosquilla stoliura

Haptosquilla trispinosa

Hemisquilla californiensis

Lysiosquillina glabriuscula

Lysiosquillina lisa

Lysiosquillina maculata

Neogonodactylus bredini

Neogonodactylus curacaoensis

Neogonodactylus oerstedii

Neogonodactylus wennerae

Odontodactylus brevirostris

Odontodactylus cultrifer

Odontodactylus havanensis

Odontodactylus japonicus

Odontodactylus latirostris

Odontodactylus scyllarus

Oratosquilla oratoria

Protosquilla folini

Pseudosquilla ciliata

Pseudosquillana richeri

Pseudosquillisma guttata

Pseudosquillopsis marmorata

Pullosquilla thomassini

Raoulserenea hieroglyphica

Raoulserenea komaii

Raoulserenea ornata

Raoulserenea oxyrhyncha

Squilla empusa

Squilla rugosa

Taku spinosocarinatus

Tetrasquilla mccullochae

...with over 500 species
 

Find out more about stomatopods and Roy Caldwell's research at the "Secrets of the Stomatopod: An Underwater Research Adventure" exhibit.

General information on stomatopods can be found at UCMP's "Introduction to Stomatopods".

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