Shortnose Mantis Shrimp

The name refers to its abbreviated rostrum, the forward projection on the front of the body. It is a mantis shrimp that uses raptorial appendages to capture prey rather than ordinary walking claws alone.

It is found in shallow Indo-Pacific coastal waters. Its habitat is associated with the seafloor, where it hunts benthic invertebrates.

The species uses its raptorial appendages to capture benthic invertebrate prey living on or near the seafloor. Those specialized limbs are a defining feature of mantis shrimp feeding behavior.

It is commonly called a shrimp, but mantis shrimp belong to a separate group of marine crustaceans with highly specialized striking appendages. Its short rostrum and raptorial limbs are more useful identifiers than the common name alone.