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The Mother of all Crustaceans - The Mantis Shrimps

The alien-like mantis shrimp is one of the reef's most amazing residents. This beautiful orange species is apparently undescribed.

The coral reef is home to a plethora of unusual marine creatures. But there are few that can compare in appearance, physiology and behavior to the alien-like mantis shrimps. Although they are referred to as "shrimp," they are not closely related to the shrimp we often see on coral reefs. In fact, they are in an entirely different order.

In this CoralRealm feature article we will examine the natural history of the amazing mantis shrimps. Not only will you learn more about these unique reef dwellers, you will also be privy to rare photos showing egg care, commensal relationships and beautifully colored mantis shrimps. There are side bars on: the 10 best places to go to observe mantis shrimps, a mantis observation tip, a mantis shrimp commensal and one of the most spectacular of all the mantis shrimps, the peacock mantis. So join now and learn more about what you might see on your next dive trip!

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