Mantis shrimp
Gonodactyllaceus graphurus
This mantis shrimp grows to about 6-7 cm long and has a variable body colour ranging from red to pale green to blackish, often mottled or striped. Sexual differences in colouration are similar to the other species in the genus, with females generally uniform or speccled and males with more conspicuous dark markings appearing to have longitudinal stripes. There is a large orange spot inside the claw. The raptorial claw of the species in this family are adapted to produce blunt force and break hard surfaces (smashers vs spearers, which specialise in soft bodied preys).
Morphology
The finger of the claw is swollen at the base and is a simple spear-like process without any additional teeth on the inside edge. The species can be identified by the presence of transverse grooves on each segment of the abdomen.
Evolution
Very similar in morphology, colouration and distribution to Gonodactyllaceus glabrous (the two are considered potential sister species), however Gonodactylaceus graphurus is more common in Australian waters.
Behaviour
It has been described as an aggressive species in aquaria, actively killing other crustaceans and molluscs. It feeds on small crabs and other crustaceans, as well as marine snails and bivalves.
Method of reproduction
Sexual
Habitat
Marine
Occurs form the intertidal zone to up to about 85 m depth, amongst coral rubble, under rocks, in sponges or on seagrass beds.
Distribution
Tropical Australia to southern Indonesia and Vanuatu
Life Cycle
Several planktonic larval stages
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Crustacea |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Stomatopoda |
| Suborder: | Unipeltata |
| Superfamily: | Gonodactyloidea |
| Family: | Gonodactylidae |
| Genus: | Gonodactylaceus |
| Species: | graphurus |
| Name Published Year: | 1875 |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name Authorship: | Miers |
| Commercial Impact: | This species has minor commercial value as part of the aquarium trade |
| Conservation Assessment: | Least Concern |
Cite this page
Western Australian Museum Collections https://museum.wa.gov.au/online-collections/names/gonodactyllaceus-graphurus
Accessed 11 Aug 2025
Rights
We support the open release of data and information about our collections.
Text content on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Image content on this page is copyright WA Museum.