Roy's List of Stomatopods for the Aquarium
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Species: Squilla empusa

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S. empusa 1
S. empusa 2
S. empusa 3
S. empusa 4
Click on any image to see an enlargement. All photos © 2005 Roy Caldwell.
 

Common name: Sea Scorpion

Functional type: Spearer

Range: Maine to Surinam

Habitat: Mud

Depth: Low intertidal to 150 m; usually less than 40 m

Home: U-shaped burrow

Diet: Shrimp, small crabs, small fish

Size: 2–18 cm

Color: Brown; yellow and black uropods; black patch on second abdominal tergite, eyes iridescent green

Distinguishing Characters: Raptorial dactyl with six teeth

Activity: Nocturnal

Aquarium Requirements:

Temperature: 18–26° C

Salinity: 33–36 PSU

Cohabitants: Will eat shrimp and small fish

Aquarium size (adult): 80 l

Aquarium substrate: Mud to burrow in or pvc pipe

Suitability for Aquarium: Difficult to keep due to burrow requirements; temperature

Availability: Sold commercially by some collectors and biological supply companies; easy to collect on mudflats at very low tide; commonly taken in shrimp trawls

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External Anatomy and Explanatory Notes

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