Abstract
One of the ocean's most beautiful creatures is also one of the deadliest. Peacock mantis shrimp stun everything they encounter-in more than one way. A diver might be awed by the crustaceans' dazzling colors, but if he reaches out to grab one of these seemingly harmless critters, he'll be countered by powerful, lightning-fast punches. With their impressive brawn, peacock mantis shrimp thrive as some of the deadliest predators on the Indo-Pacific coral reefs. Peacock mantis shrimp are not shrimp or mantids, but because they physically resemble both, the name has stuck.