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Species: Neogonodactylus bredini

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Click on any image to see an enlargement. All photos © 2005 Roy Caldwell.

Common name: Caribbean Rock Mantis Shrimp, split-thumb

Functional type: Smasher

Range: Southern Caribbean

Habitat: Reef flats, grass flats, mangroves (almost any shallow water where there are cavities)

Depth: Low intertidal to 3 m (often found on exposed reef and grass flats)

Home: Cavities in coralline algae, coral rubble, live coral (even found in cavities in nuts, sponges, gastropod shells and urchin tests)

Diet: Generalist; small crustaceans, gastropods

Size: 8–60 mm

Color: Very color polymorphic; brown, bright green, cream mottle; meral spot white

Distinguishing Characters: Submedian teeth prominent, intermediate teeth reduced; white meral spot

Activity: Diurnal; closes cavity before sunset and opens at dawn

Aquarium Requirements:

Temperature: 22–29° C

Salinity: 33–36 PSU

Cohabitants: Will eat small crustaceans and gastropods

Aquarium size (adult): 20 l

Aquarium substrate: Sand and gravel; rubble; cavity

Suitability for Aquarium: Excellent; very hardy; active

Availability: Occasionally found in shipments from Panama and the southern Caribbean

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External Anatomy and Explanatory Notes