Previous species

Species: Protosquilla folini

Next species

Click on any image to see an enlargement. All photos © 2009 Roy Caldwell.

Common name: None

Functional type: Smasher

Range: Off West Africa from Cape Verde Islands to the Congo

Habitat: Rocks and rubble

Depth: 0–60 m

Home: Cavities in rock and rubble

Diet: Small crustaceans and gastropods

Size: 8–28 mm

Color: Variable but light brown to black body with a white band across the carapace and raptorial merus as well as the sixth abdominal somite, meral spots neutral, red streak on raptorial propodus

Distinguishing Characters: Blue spots on antennae and antennules, dense, short setae cover the dorsal telson

Activity: Diurnal, uses its telson to block cavity entrance

Aquarium Requirements:

Temperature: 22–27° C

Salinity: 32–36 PSU

Cohabitants: Subject to predation by fish

Aquarium size (adult): 10 l

Aquarium substrate: Cavities in coral rubble

Suitability for Aquarium: Reclusive, remaining in cavity at entrance, but hardy

Availability: This is an abundant stomatopod in the Cape Verde Islands, but probably due to its small size, it is rarely exported

Back to the Species Directory
External Anatomy and Explanatory Notes