Common name: Australian pineapplefish

Scientific name: Cleidopus gloriamaris De Vis, 1882

General information

The Peacock Mantis Shrimp, Cleidopus gloriamaris, is a species of mantis shrimp known for its vibrant colors and powerful hunting abilities. This species is one of the larger mantis shrimps and can reach up to 18 centimeters in length. They are highly prized in the aquarium trade for their striking appearance, but they require specialized care due to their aggressive nature and complex behaviors.

Mantis shrimps are known for their unique raptorial appendages which they use to hunt prey. The Peacock Mantis Shrimp is a 'smasher' type, using these appendages to deliver powerful blows to crack open the shells of mollusks and crustaceans.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
300 liter (79 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
Temperature
22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F)
Acidity
pH 8.1 to 8.4
Average size
45 cm (1′6″)
Care level
Moderate to easy Needs hiding spots & open swimming
Diet
Carnivore Prefers live foods; can adapt to frozen
Social
Solo Territorial, best kept alone
Reefsafe
No May eat small fish & inverts
Aggression
Semi aggresive Aggressive to smaller tankmates
Captive bred
No

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Chordates
    Chordata
  3. Class
    Ray-finned Fishes
    Actinopterygii
  4. Order
    Squirrelfish
    Beryciformes
  5. Family
    Pinecone Fish
    Monocentridae
  6. Genus
    Velvetfish
    Cleidopus
  7. Species
    Australian pineapplefish
    Cleidopus gloriamaris De Vis, 1882
  8. Synonyms
    Cleidopus gloriamaris occidentalis Whitley, 1931

Care

Peacock Mantis Shrimps need a species-specific tank setup with plenty of live rock for hiding and hunting. The tank should be equipped with a secure lid, as they are known to be escape artists. They are best kept alone due to their aggressive tendencies towards other tank mates. A varied diet of meaty foods such as shrimp, fish, and mollusks is essential for their health.

Reproduction

In the wild, Peacock Mantis Shrimps are solitary except when mating. They perform complex mating rituals and the females lay eggs in burrows. In captivity, breeding is challenging and not commonly achieved.

Habitat

Peacock Mantis Shrimps are found in the Indo-Pacific region, from Guam to the eastern coast of Africa. They inhabit coral reefs and rubble areas, often creating burrows in sandy or muddy substrates.

Their natural habitat includes a range of depths, but they are most commonly found at depths of less than 40 meters.