How Much Does a Mantis Shrimp Cost?

Mantis shrimp is the name given to marine crustaceans in the class “Stomatopoda”. The origin of these crustaceans goes back 400 million years, making them among the oldest animals on the planet. The ancient Assyrians called the mantis shrimp “Big Acacia” while its name in modern Australia is “Shrimp Killer”. Mantis shrimp are a delicacy in many countries around the world and are prepared by boiling, frying, or grilling.

How Much Does a Mantis Shrimp Cost?

In general, the cost of a medium-sized mantis shrimp that is four to six inches long is between $32 and $55, while a smaller mantis shrimp, that is up to four inches long would cost you anywhere between $12 and $25. The size and the species will affect the cost of the shrimp. 

The cost of a larger mantis shrimp, which is up to ten inches long, would be anywhere between $70 and $110. You should expect to pay up to $110 or even more for some rare, hard-to-find species of mantis shrimp such as the Heterocephalus Glaber, commonly known as the Pink fairy armadillo.

Are mantis shrimps rare?

As they are not typically found in aquariums like other sea creatures, mantis shrimps can be considered rare and therefore expensive. But they are not as rare as other creatures that have become rare because of different environmental conditions.

These shrimps are not considered endangered and can be found in subtropical and tropical waters in many areas around the world. Mantis shrimps are bottom-dwelling sea creatures that have the tendency to inhabit rocky and sandy sea beds or coral reefs.

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Usually, it is difficult to find mantis shrimps in reared captivity because of their territorial nature. Also, these are not commonly found in the pet industry or in aquariums.

Mantis shrimp are predominantly found in subtropical and tropical marine habitats. However, some species are also found in temperate marine habitats. Marine shrimp inhabit the waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, with high concentrations found off the coast of East Africa and Hawaii.

Till now, there have been identified and classified around four hundred species of mantis shrimp. However, there are likely more species that have not been discovered yet.

Can I have a live mantis shrimp as a pet?

It is recommended that mantis shrimp are not kept in reef-type aquariums or even in those with small fish. So if you want such crustaceans as your pets, you should look for a specific type of aquarium. Only one mantis shrimp will be kept in these aquariums, maybe two in very large aquariums. Stomatopods are very territorial and will fight if they consider that the space is insufficient.

Has a mantis shrimp ever hit a human?

As these creatures do not venture onto land and live in freshwater habitats or in the ocean, it is highly unlikely that they will ever hit a human. In general, these aquatic creatures interact only with other sea creatures in their natural habitat and rarely come into contact with humans.

The mantis shrimp has the strongest punch in the whole animal kingdom. As its claws are very powerful, it is known also as the “thumb splitter”. It has the fastest punching movement in the animal kingdom, with the speed of a. 22 caliber bullet.

The acceleration of his punch is similar to that of a pistol shot. This amazing speed is so high that it evaporates the water around the pincer in a very short time.

If ever a mantis shrimp will punch you, it will hurt. It has powerful appendages that can deliver a lightning-quick strike that has enough power to break the glass. Also, some species can contain toxins in their claws that can be injected into your skin.

Although this shrimp is not able to split your finger, when you remove a mantis shrimp from its aquarium, you will need a lot of patience and a thick pair of gloves because it can hit hard, or worse, in the case of those that pierce, they can cause nasty injuries to the aquarist.

Can mantis shrimp break glass?

Yes, its pincers are so strong that they can easily break through and shatter tank walls. Currently, researchers are looking for ways to use the substance from which the pincer is formed to create new armor.

What is the lifespan of a mantis shrimp?

In general, a mantis shrimp, like the peacock mantis shrimp, for example, can live for around two to three years. However, some species can live for up to five years. Their life cycle is complicated as the female lays the eggs and the male fertilizes them.

Why are the mantis shrimps so special?

Their body has a greenish color, their legs are orange, and there are leopard-like spots on their shells. These shrimps have a fascinating ability to see light. Their ability is currently being studied by researchers for use in data storage.

They have up to 16 photoreceptors and can see UV, visible and polarized light. In fact, they are the only animals known to detect circularly polarized light, that is, when the wave component of the light rotates in a circular motion. They can also perceive depth with one eye and move each eye independently. It is impossible to imagine what mantis shrimp see, but incredibly thoughtful.

This spectacular shrimp has amazing strength. Its pincers make it a ferocious predator of gastropods, crustaceans, and mollusks. He will repeatedly use his pincers to destroy any shell. A single punch of the mantis shrimp can reach a speed of a 22-caliber bullet, which is the speed record for any animal.

What is rainbow shrimp?

The rainbow shrimp is a type of invertebrate that can be found in the freshwaters of Southeast Asia. Due to their ease of care and bright colors, they can be found in the beginner aquarium hobby industry. They come in different colors such as blue, yellow, orange, black, and transparent white.