Echinosquilla guerinii

[Gonodactylus]

This urchin mimic is a common smasher found throughout Hawaii. It generally occurs below 15 m and lives in large worm tubes in the bench making it very difficult to collect. If you can get one, they are colorful, hardy animals that do very well in aquaria. I often can keep them for at least two or three years. Maximum size is usually around 3 inches.

This is one smasher that is not diurnal. They generally become active right around dusk sitting in their burrow entrance waiting for prey. Often they block the burrow entrance with the telson which looks very much like one of the small urchins that live in depressions in the wall. Their eyes have a reflective tapedum that gives them a golden eye shine. I have found them eating Odontodactylus brevirostris which occurs in the same habitat.

 

[Ken2001]

Wow, that's really cool. I guess I should put this in the category of "One I'll never see offered on the East Coast". It really is a pity that it is so difficult to find/order uncommon stomapods.

Can you post some more pictures of this one?

 

[Gonodactylus]

Echinosquilla eyes

Echinosquilla eyes

O.K. Here is a shot taken from below as the animal lunges from its cavity.

Roy

 

[Ken2001]

Thanks! That is one way cool animal!

 

[majestic sea life]

wow real cool looking.

 

[amber2461]

This one is absolutely stunning !

 

[Jacob D]

Awesome.

 

[Absint Reefer]

stunned

 

[ClamIAm]

It's amazing how many different animals are out there that are so cool looking.

 

[dwarfatize]

That is SO cool! You wouldn't have any of those that you are looking to get rid of are you? J/k but if you do come across one in our area please let me know.

 

[opihi]

that is one cool mantis! if anyone finds one, please tell us where you got it.

 

[Gonodactylus]

I have seen Echinosquilla for sale only once. It came from a collector in Hawaii. This is a common species, but very difficult to collect. I occasionally get small individuals living in cavities in rubble collected at 60-100 feet. To get the rubble to the surface to break takes a boat, lift bags, etc. Large adults are more commonly found living in the bench in large burrowing worm tubes. The tubes often spiral up to a foot into the bench and it can take several minutes of heavy work with a hand sledge and chisel to get them out. At that depth and working hard, I often cannot complete chipping out an animal on a single dive.

If any divers in Hawaii want to have a go, I can give you detailed instructions.

Roy