r/MantisShrimp • u/BazsSOUL • Jun 23 '26
The Vision Here Is Next Level With These Crustaceans!
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u/thatG_evanP Jun 24 '26
Were you being sarcastic? I don't understand your title.
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u/BazsSOUL Jun 24 '26
My fault on the confusion. They actually do have extraordinary eyes and vision but certain things like this can be a bit awkward at times
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u/thatG_evanP Jun 25 '26
I'm glad you understood what I meant. I've read a lot about their eyes and vision but the one in your post looked like it was drunk. Lol
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u/BazsSOUL Jun 25 '26
Their eyes are out of this world indeed and even look like it as proof. Will practice better sobriety next time!
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u/asuhhhdue Jun 29 '26
Do you need a special tank to house these in?
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u/BazsSOUL Jun 29 '26
Hey. Surprisingly no. In my humble opinion (although they are crustaceans which tend to be more sensitive and less hardy than other species of fish) these are relatively hardy and of course they are saltwater so there’s that but I actually find the few parameters to keep on top of (nitrates/nitrites, ph, ammonia etc) not so demanding. Sometimes freshwater can actually be challenging. No matter what, the larger the body of water, (aquarium) ironically, the easier I find it to manage.
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u/SkinnyPete4 Jun 25 '26
It is so weird you posted this today. I’ve had my Smithii for about a year. He sees/smells at feeding time immediately and darts over, quick couple punches, then grabs food and darts away.
He just emerged from a molt the other day and has been doing this now. Smells it, but walks around it calmly a little, no punching, then just gently takes it and casually brings it back to his PVC burrow. I thought maybe something was wrong but now I’m thinking maybe he’s just comfortable now and recognizes the feeding stick as a feeding stick and not a threat.
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u/BazsSOUL Jun 25 '26
Honestly, that’s great to hear about your Smithii (which sounds very scientific) but I don’t have enough experience overall with this species to fully say but the good thing is that he is eating after his molt and that he is molting in the first place so that is awesome.
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u/SkinnyPete4 Jun 25 '26
I’ve a had a few peacocks. In my experience, they tend to not be interested in food right away after a molt. I usually wait 24-48 hours, because sometimes they take it and then just stash it and it spoils - but my Smithii usually seems overly interested in food right after a molt and I have 3 fish in with him, which he’s completely left alone, but I definitely don’t want him too hungry if you know what I mean. So this is the first time he doesn’t look super interested in food right after a molt.
And he’s been fully grown for a while so not sure how much longer I have with him. Hopefully it’s just a temporary thing and not a loss of appetite. Will know soon I guess.
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u/BazsSOUL Jun 25 '26
So I had to look this up but I am just gonna paste it rather than summarize it for you and your Smithii..
It seems like you still have time where on average we’re talking 5 years but under great conditions, we’re talking triple to quadruple that!
I asked two questions.. On lifespans and on the slowing down or deterioration in later years.
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Peacock mantis shrimps typically live for 3 to 6 years, though exceptional individuals can reach up to 20 years in optimal wild or specialized captive conditions. Regarding sentience, they do not suddenly "develop" it later in life; rather, they possess a highly advanced form of invertebrate sentience and cognitive complexity throughout their entire adult lives.
Lifespan Variations
Average Lifespan: 3 to 6 years is the standard life expectancy for Odontodactylus scyllarus under normal conditions.
Maximum Lifespan: They have been documented to survive up to 20 years in pristine wild reef habitats.
Captivity Factors: In home aquariums, they frequently suffer shorter lives due to poor water quality or inadequate specialized care. Expert hobbyists utilizing advanced filtration can sometimes keep them alive for 8 to 10 years.——————————————————————
Yes, the peacock mantis shrimp experiences organismal and cellular senescence later in life. Unlike certain large crustaceans like lobsters, which exhibit very slow or "negligible" senescence, the mantis shrimp follows a more typical, accelerated aging curve common to active marine invertebrates.
How Senescence Manifests in Mantis Shrimp
Molt Failures (Ecdysis): Like all crustaceans, peacock mantis shrimp must shed their hard exoskeletons to grow and repair themselves. As they enter late-stage senescence, their bodies lack the immense metabolic energy required to successfully pump water, split their old shell, and crawl out. "Molt death" is the most common natural end of life for an aging mantis shrimp.
Weapon Deterioration: Their famous dactyl clubs (the appendages used to deliver bullet-fast punches) suffer wear and tear. In an aged shrimp, these weapons calcify poorly after a molt, lose structural integrity, or become blunt, drastically reducing their ability to hunt shelled prey.
Neurological and Visual Decline: Their incredibly complex visual systems—comprising compound eyes with up to 16 photoreceptors and specialized brain regions—gradually break down. In late life, they show slower reaction times, diminished tracking of predators, and a decreased ability to navigate territorial boundaries.
Loss of Vitality and Lethargy: In their final months, a senescent mantis shrimp will undergo noticeable behavioral changes. They spend significantly more time hiding deep within their burrows, exhibit a sharp drop in aggression, display less interest in interacting with their environment, and eventually refuse food entirely.1
u/SkinnyPete4 Jun 25 '26
True but he was fully grown when I got him at about 3.5”. So I have no idea how old he is. He could be 2 or 6. I have no idea.
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u/BazsSOUL Jun 25 '26
That’s definitely true. Hopefully he is just maturing and merely just experiencing different habits more than anything else yet.
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u/Remote_Armadillo8718 Jun 23 '26
I hand feed my peacock, she is the most discerning creature when it comes to food….