Pistol-packing shrimp is armed and dangerous

Oct 21 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

A SHRIMP with a claw as powerful as a bullet is on display in a specially reinforced glass tank.

Staff at Tynemouth’s Blue Reef Aquarium have welcomed Bruce the pistol shrimp – 12cm long but still capable of landing a devastating blow with its claw with the equivalent force of a .22 calibre bullet.

The shrimp uses a specially adapted front claw which reaches speeds of 75 feet per second – a movement so forceful it has been known to shatter safety glass.

Staff at the aquarium have made sure his new home is made from super-strong acrylic and that he is fed from a safe distance using metal grabs.

Blue Reef’s Anna Etchells said: “We nicknamed him after Bruce Lee for obvious reasons and decided to err on the side of caution with the design for his display.

“Pistol or mantis shrimps are notorious as among the most aggressive and pugnacious of all creatures.

“They use their blunt, hammer- like front legs to stun their prey with repeated blows before wedging their battered victims – including crabs, clams and snails – against a wall and cracking their shells apart.”

It is not just potential prey they’re prepared to pick a fight with. One pistol shrimp was filmed attacking and defeating an octopus and several divers have been badly injured after straying too close.