Scientific Name: Pseudosquilla ciliata
Common Name: Common mantis shrimp

Size: Up to 10 cm
Depth Range: 0 – 40 m
Habitat: Sandy or muddy bottoms near coral reefs, seagrass beds, rubble, and under rocks where they dig or occupy burrows
Diet: Carnivorous ambush predator; uses its sharp claws to spear small fish, worms, and crustaceans
Reproduction: Separate sexes; females carry fertilized eggs until hatching
Fun Fact: Unlike the famous “smashing” mantis shrimps, P. ciliata is a “spearer,” equipped with spiny appendages for lightning-fast strikes. It can also change color to better match its surroundings—shades of green, brown, or even reddish tones depending on habitat!

Observation Tip: Look for its eyes poking out from a burrow entrance or patiently waiting in ambush on the sand. It’s shy, fast, and often gone in a blink!