Home > Invertebrates > Mantis Shrimp > Echinosquilla guerinii

Created 6/17/2025

Family Protosquillidae

INDO-PACIFIC / HAWAII

Echinosquilla guerinii

Ulua Beach, Maui, 40 feet

 

  

 

URCHIN-TAIL MANTIS SHRIMP

This spearing mantis shrimp inhabits rubble burrows at scuba depths.  It is ruby-red with white spots and a jagged white bar across the posterior carapace.  The tail has numerous stout orange spines resembling a rock-boring urchin.  When threatened, the shimp points the spiny tail toward danger, mimicing a sea urchin.  Attains at least 2.5 inches.  Red Sea to Taiwan, Hawaii and French Polynesia.