Squilla

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Squilla: /ˈskwɪlə/

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Summary

Squilla mantis is a commercially important mantis shrimp species found in the Mediterranean and Eastern Atlantic, known for its distinctive color and burrowing behavior.

Physical Characteristics

Individuals grow up to 200 millimeters (8 in) long, generally dull brown in color with two brown eye spots circled in white at the base of the telson.

Identification Tips

Look for the spearer type characteristics and the distinct eye spots.

Habitat

Shallow coastal areas, digging burrows in muddy and sandy bottoms.

Distribution

Found around the entire coast of the Mediterranean and in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Cádiz to Angola, including the Canary Islands and Madeira. Historically recorded from the Bay of Biscay and the British Isles, but not found there anymore.

Diet

Feeds on smaller shrimp and other organisms.

Life Cycle

Comes out of its burrow at night to hunt and during winter to mate.

Ecosystem Role

May impact the population dynamics of prey shrimp species and interacts with symbiotic species like Athanas amazone.

Economic Impact

The only commercially fished mantis shrimp in the Mediterranean, with over 7,000 tons caught annually, particularly along the Italian Adriatic coast and in the Ionian Sea.

Cultural Significance

Known as 'pacchero' or 'canocchia' and consumed in Andalusia under the name 'galeras'.

Similar Taxa

• Oratosquilla oratoria
• Athanas squillophilus

Misconceptions

Other species of mantis shrimp sold in the aquarium trade are sometimes misidentified as Squilla mantis.

Tags

• mantis shrimp
• commercial fishing
• Mediterranean
• spearer type