KP Aquatics LLC, USA
Info
Special thanks for the first photo of Odontodactylus havanensis to KP Aquatics Tavernier, Florida, USA!
Odontodactylus havanensis is a smaller mantis shrimp that inhabits burrows in sandy, shelly and coarse boulders at diving depths and belongs to the so-called "debris".
The speed of the slamming of the crab's fangs causes the immediately surrounding water to boil for a short time!
Attention:
Odontodactylus havanensis should not be kept in a community aquarium with fish or other shrimp, as it will eventually attack and eat all but the largest fish.
Mantis shrimp are easy to care for and will eat almost anything, they like to live in a cave of some sort, so try to provide some sort of tube or cave for them to live in.
This particular species of mantis shrimp likes to build intricate burrows in sand and rubble, much like a jawfish, so a deep sand/ rubble bed would be best (but is not necessary).
Clams, hard and sorting corals, and larger crabs are probably safe to keep with these shrimp, although their burrowing activity can undermine rock structures and bury corals.
They do, however, crush and eat thin-shelled clams and snails, which is something to consider when buying snails for algae control.
They have a hard time eating Astrea snails, so these would be the best choice among Caribbean snails to keep with these shrimp.
Odontodactylus havanensis is a smaller mantis shrimp that inhabits burrows in sandy, shelly and coarse boulders at diving depths and belongs to the so-called "debris".
The speed of the slamming of the crab's fangs causes the immediately surrounding water to boil for a short time!
Attention:
Odontodactylus havanensis should not be kept in a community aquarium with fish or other shrimp, as it will eventually attack and eat all but the largest fish.
Mantis shrimp are easy to care for and will eat almost anything, they like to live in a cave of some sort, so try to provide some sort of tube or cave for them to live in.
This particular species of mantis shrimp likes to build intricate burrows in sand and rubble, much like a jawfish, so a deep sand/ rubble bed would be best (but is not necessary).
Clams, hard and sorting corals, and larger crabs are probably safe to keep with these shrimp, although their burrowing activity can undermine rock structures and bury corals.
They do, however, crush and eat thin-shelled clams and snails, which is something to consider when buying snails for algae control.
They have a hard time eating Astrea snails, so these would be the best choice among Caribbean snails to keep with these shrimp.
