Previous species

Species: Gonodactylellus viridis

Next species

Click on either image to see an enlargement. All photos © 2005 Roy Caldwell.

Common name: Green Mantis Shrimp

Functional type: Smasher

Range: Western Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean; Andaman Sea to Samoa and Japan

Habitat: Reef flats

Depth: Low intertidal to 2 m, usually very shallow

Home: Cavities in rock, coral rubble, LR, sponge, gastropod shells

Diet: Generalist; small crustaceans and gastropods

Size: 7–55 mm

Color: Variable; often green from reef and grass flats, white from sand flats, and red from coralline algae, frequently with fine white spots; meral spots flesh toned with thin red streaks around the periphery

Distinguishing Characters: Meral spot with red streaks around edg

Activity: Diurnal; closes at night

Aquarium Requirements:

Temperature: 22–29° C

Salinity: 33–36 PSU

Cohabitants: Will eat small crustaceans, gastropods

Aquarium size (adult): 20 l

Aquarium substrate: Sand and gravel; coral rubble, cavity

Suitability for Aquarium: Excellent; hardy and active

Availability: Occasionally shipped by collectors in Indonesia where it is a common reef flat species

Back to the Species Directory
External Anatomy and Explanatory Notes