Mediterranean Sea Mantis Shrimps

[Doc Hammer]

While doing research on Shamefaced Crabs I came across this .

I had no idea that the Stomatopod family extended to the eastern Atlantic waters!

As well, I found this interesting aquarium located on the island of Crete. The aquarium showcases the various reptiles and amphibians that are indigenous to the island of Crete and the waters of the Mediterranean, as well as fish and invertebrates.

 

[Pea-brain]

Well, that aquarium looks cool, but I am wondering what they are doing wrong at this aquarium that they can't keep the cuttlefish for more than a few days. As long as a 200+ chilled aquarium is provided with appropriate equipment and cycling(large protien skimmer, chiller) they can be kept relatively easily...

Dan

 

[Gonodactylus]

Squilla maintis is common in much of the Mediterranean. You can find it in most fish markets in Italy, southern Spain and Greece. In fact, there is some evidence from Roman writing that it was the original scampi. It is considered particularly good in the late fall. If you are in Venice in November, it is featured on many menus.

S. mantis is not the only species common in the Mediterranean. There are more than a dozen species of stomatopods found there and more are being added as they make their way through the Suez Canal.

We then to forget that some stomatopods live in cool waters. There is one species of squillid that is common around English waters.

Roy

 

[Thurge]

Have any been documented from the Artic or Antartic?

 

[Gonodactylus]

No, but they do occur from deep waters that are that cold.

Roy

 

[CadetMKultra]

I caught a six inch S. empusa in the East River in New York City.