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Species: Chorisquilla tweediei

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Click on any image to see an enlargement. All photos © 2006 Roy Caldwell.

Common name: Velcro mantis

Functional type: Smasher

Range: New Caledonia and eastern Australia

Habitat: Reef flat, reef crest and shallow lagoons

Depth: Low intertidal to 15 m

Home: Cavities in rock, bench, coralline algae and coral rubble

Diet: Unknown; probably small crustaceans

Size: 9–30 mm

Color: Body green or brown with broad white band running across the carapace and extending over the raptorial merus and a second white band running across the 6th abdominal tergite and uropods; body often covered with small white spots

Distinguishing Characters: Bilobed white eyes with two vertical black stripes; dorsal surface of telson covered with fine hooks similar to Velcro. In the field, the entire surface of the telson is covered with detritus. The animal often sits with its camouflaged telson plugging the burrow entrance

Activity: Unknown, but seen looking out of its cavities during the day

Aquarium Requirements:

Temperature: 22–28° C

Salinity: 32–36 PSU

Cohabitants: Unknown

Aquarium size (adult): 10 l

Aquarium substrate: Live rock, rubble or coralline algae with tube-shaped cavities; will also live in small plastic pipe

Suitability for Aquarium: Good, but rarely leaves its cavity. The strange eyes and camouflaged telson are interesting

Availability: Rare; occasionally can be found in live rock from Australia

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External Anatomy and Explanatory Notes