Head to head
Peacock Mantis Shrimp vs Pistol Shrimp
Two of the ocean's most famous small weapons belong to the mantis shrimp and the pistol shrimp. Both strike so fast that the water itself boils, creating a flash of light and a shockwave. But they are not close relatives, they are built completely differently, and they fight in different ways.
| Peacock Mantis Shrimp | Pistol Shrimp | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Stomatopods, an ancient order of their own | True shrimp (caridean), family Alpheidae |
| Size | 3–18 cm, some larger | 3–5 cm |
| Weapon | Paired raptorial limbs, either clubs or spears | One enormously enlarged snapping claw |
| How the strike works | A spring-and-latch limb accelerating like a bullet | The claw snaps shut, firing a jet that forms a collapsing bubble |
| Strike effect | Smashes shells and glass, or spears soft prey | A shockwave stuns small fish and shrimp; the snap is deafening underwater |
| Eyes | Up to 16 photoreceptor types; sees polarised and UV light | Simple eyes, partly hidden under the eyestalk hood |
| Lifestyle | Lives alone in a burrow or crevice, aggressively territorial | Often shares a burrow with a partner goby |
| Light flash | A flash from cavitation on impact | A flash from the collapsing bubble |
| Threat to humans | Can cut a finger or crack glass; nicknamed thumb splitter | A sharp snap, harmless |
Mantis Shrimp vs Pistol Shrimp: common questions
Are mantis shrimp and pistol shrimp the same thing?
No, and they are not even close relatives. Pistol shrimp are true shrimp; mantis shrimp belong to a separate ancient group, the stomatopods, and are only loosely shrimp by shape. Both became famous for ultra-fast strikes, but they evolved them independently.
Which one hits harder?
The mantis shrimp, by a wide margin. A large peacock mantis shrimp's club strike carries the energy of a small-calibre bullet and can shatter crab shells and aquarium glass. The pistol shrimp's snap is astonishingly fast and loud and can stun a small fish, but it is a much smaller animal delivering a much smaller blow.
Can either one hurt a person?
Only in a minor way. A big mantis shrimp can slice a finger or crack the glass of a tank, which is why aquarists call them thumb splitters. A pistol shrimp can give a surprising snap but cannot injure you.