Bought the wrong Mantis Shrimp

[TysFish]

I’ve always dreamed of owning a Peacock Mantis Shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus). They’ve always seemed so unique to me, so I set up a dedicated aquarium just for one.

This is my very first time owning any aquatic animal, so I was both nervous and excited. I set up the tank, cycled it properly, and when everything was ready, I started calling around to find one. Eventually, I found a local fish store that told me they could get a Peacock Mantis Shrimp for me. I specifically told them that’s exactly what I wanted.

A few days later, they said it had arrived. When I went to pick it up, it was much smaller than I expected. Since I’m new to the hobby (and they knew that), I assumed it was just a juvenile and that’s why it lacked the bright colors. I even asked the owner in person: “This is a peacock, correct?” He doubled down with, “Yes, this is a peacock mantis shrimp.” He even told me, “In about a month, the colors will start showing.”

So I purchased it, brought it home, and acclimated it to the tank. Later, while observing it more closely, I noticed the distinctive blue meral spots with sharp white rings on its raptorial appendages. I did some research and realized it’s actually a Gonodactylus smithii, not a Peacock.

My questions:
1. What should I do in this situation?
2. What are the main differences between G. smithii and O. scyllarus?
3. Do you think the LFS owner knowingly misidentified it, or was this an honest mistake?

 

[Fish Fan]

Dude, really??

Let's ask @Stomatopods17 for a firm identification, if they have a minute.

Can you post some real clear pics of your guy, try Turing on all your white lights, and turn off your blue lights.

It is entirely possible the LFS knowing or unknowingly sold you the wrong species, that's quite common with Mantids, from what I have read.

 

[TysFish]

Dude, really??

Let's ask @Stomatopods17 for a firm identification, if they have a minute.

Can you post some real clear pics of your guy, try Turing on all your white lights, and turn off your blue lights.

It is entirely possible the LFS knowing or unknowingly sold you the wrong species, that's quite common with Mantids, from what I have read.

Yeahh… kind of sad here are some pics. As clear as I could get.

 

[Fish Fan]

I don't know enough about them to say for sure, but that does look like the G. smithii pics I could find. I think it would still be a pretty cool guy to keep, but hopefully Stomatopods17 can stop by, they'd know for sure. Did you try asking the company where you ordered this one?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Yeahh… kind of sad here are some pics. As clear as I could get.

Looks like young peacock. A little brighter light with no blue will help better with id

 

[TysFish]

I don't know enough about them to say for sure, but that does look like the G. smithii pics I could find. I think it would still be a pretty guy to keep, but hopefully Stomatopods17 can stop by, they'd know for sure. Did you try asking the company where you ordered this one?

Yeah I called them back and triple downed on it being a Peacock. They told me they have divers that get them for them.

 

[TysFish]

Yeahh… kind of sad here are some pics. As clear as I could get.

Looks like young peacock. A little brighter light with no blue will help better with id

I’ll get a better pic with the light on full brightness so we can see what it truly is haha. Thanks for the reply

 

[TysFish]

Here are the best pictures I’m going to be able to get of him

 

[Hadla]

Nope it’s a smithii

 

[littlefoxx]

Not a peacock at all, youre right on the ID. Its still a smasher though. Same care as a peacock, its just a smaller mantis still a cool little guy.

As for the owner could be an honest mistake but could not be. I would be weary of them in the future

 

[Evensong]

If you're happy with the shrimp, it's probably worth at least asking for some store credit for their mistake. Peacocks are typically more expensive than Smiths.

 

[Hadla]

Especially if they want to sell something that isn’t a peacock for the ridiculous prices they’re going for now! Like $90+… my lfs has a smithii for $60 which is still a bit much but they tend to price everything high

 

[TysFish]

Especially if they want to sell something that isn’t a peacock for the ridiculous prices they’re going for now! Like $90+… my lfs has a smithii for $60 which is still a bit much but they tend to price everything high

Yeah they charged me $100 for it

 

[Aqua2Infinity]

What size tank do you have?

 

[Fish Fan]

Yeah they charged me $100 for it

I feel bad for you, I know how much you wanted a Peacock. You could try to take it back to the store, and if they give you a hard time remember that your credit card or back may be able to help you. Of course, that would leave you with still having to find a Peacock.

 

[TysFish]

What size tank do you have?

40 gallon. Got a large tank expecting a peacock and well… let’s just say it didn’t go as planned

 

[Hadla]

That is insane! I wonder if they overpaid for it also. You can set up a 10 gallon for the smithii and keep the 40 open for a peacock

 

[bluemon]

40 gallon. Got a large tank expecting a peacock and well… let’s just say it didn’t go as planned

definitely a smithii.

I kept one as well as a o. Havanensis.

Smithiis do come out often as much as peacocks but stay small.

I liked the Havanensis more but smithiis are nice. Much more common and thus cheaper too.

I’d get my money back. Smithiis are forty bucks at most

 

[TysFish]

40 gallon. Got a large tank expecting a peacock and well… let’s just say it didn’t go as planned

definitely a smithii.

I kept one as well as a o. Havanensis.

Smithiis do come out often as much as peacocks but stay small.

I liked the Havanensis more but smithiis are nice. Much more common and thus cheaper too.

I’d get my money back. Smithiis are forty bucks at most

Yeah that’s my plan, I plan on keeping him and just contacting the LFS to get like $60 store credit

 

[Hadla]

Yeah, show them the difference between the species on this page: https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthropoda/crustacea/malacostraca/eumalacostraca/royslist/index.html

And that peacocks at any age will always look the same and not change colors like other ones do