Shields up

[Gonodactylus]

When a smashing gonodactylid such as this Neogonodactylus bredini attacks an opponent in a cavity attempting to evict it, it has to quickly assume a defensive position to protect itself from a counter strike. This has led to the evolution of the "Lunge - Strike - Coil", a sequence of behaviors that are programmed to occur in under a quarter of a second. In this photo, the intruder has just struck the telson of the resident inside the cavity and has jumped back into a defensive pose that will allow it to take the opponent's strike on its armored telson or launch another strike.

Roy

 

[KevinJ]

That is awesome info I have noticed this behavior with my Peacock. Every time it strikes (unless it is food) it curls up and moves back 3-4 inches in the same movement. These are remarkable creatures.

KevinJ

 

[Fartin'Gary]

Lightning fast! Mine would swim out of her burrow, knock the crap out of my finger and swim back all before the pain set in.

 

[KevinJ]

Mine has only hit me once and I didn't think it was a big deal. Now that same punch lets say on a fingernail. I am pretty sure that would be a cause for curse words. Lol

KevinJ

 

[Islandoftiki]

Mine has only hit me once and I didn't think it was a big deal. Now that same punch lets say on a fingernail. I am pretty sure that would be a cause for curse words. Lol

KevinJ

I've been hit about 8 times now. You know, because I'm an idiot and keep sticking my fingers in her face, but it's never been a full force blow, just a knock it off, I'm tired of your fingers in my face type of thing. I know she can hit a lot harder than she hits me. Who knows, some day, she might actually give me a good whoopin', but so far, she's really not fussed about my hands being in the tank when I'm doing maintenance or gluing frags. Now, the Eheim claw tool, that thing gets a pretty gnarly whack every time it's in the tank. She chases it down and hits it really hard.

 

[Kharn]

I've noticed this is quite a typical reaction for the Stomatopod when going up against live prey specially creatures they have not really been offered before.

Many of my small smashers display this kind of "post reaction strike" of the defensive curl, which I assume is just a natural reaction.

 

[Alexraptor]

That has to absolutely be the funniest stomatopod picture I have ever seen, lol.
Theres just something very comical about that posture.

 

[KevinJ]

I have been considering setting up another tank for a Spearer. Have to think about it for a bit longer.

KevinJ

 

[gnasher]

Reminds me of another favorite photo of yours, Roy. They're so cute coiled up like that!