Strange crustacean

[Mike Fox]

Fishing in our competition on Sunday, I had a few rather plump pouting, and not having actually eaten any this year, I took a couple of decent ones home for dinner.

 

When cleaning one, this little fella was in the stomach.

 

It's a crustacean, with legs underneath (as pictured) a little like a shrimp, with two fearsome claws and a broad tail. This particular one was soft, probably having moulted rather than had it's shell dissolved, and been found by the voracious pout.

 

Knowing how dangerous these things can be, I doubt the shell was hard when it was eaten.

 

I do know what it is, but does anyone else have a clue?

 

Mike

 

[niggle]

Looks to me like a mikefoxcrustaceanouslefthandous

[mike02380]

http://www.glaucus.org.uk/Mantis.htm

 

my first thought was some kind of mantis shrimp, a quick search threw up the link

[biggcol]

Mike we had the same Mantis Shrimps in our Pout on Sunday. We were over 10 miles out. Bobi put three back on her hook and had a bite as soon as it hit the bottom.

 

 

Colin

[great white]

Mike we had the same Mantis Shrimps in our Pout on Sunday. We were over 10 miles out. Bobi put three back on her hook and had a bite as soon as it hit the bottom.

 

 

Colin

Well done Colin, you have discovered a special pout bait.

[Mike Fox]

Well done folks - right first time !!!!

 

I remember reading about these things years ago. They're the tough guys of the crustacean world.

 

Two basic claw types, with sharp or blunt ends, but one can stab through the shell of a lobster, and the other can stun it, or punch a hole. They've even been known to shatter aquarium glass.

 

A few tales here: http://www.blueboard.com/mantis/faq.htm#faq3

 

If you find a live one, take care picking it up...even if you only want it for pout bait

 

Mike

Edited April 11, 2011 by Mike Fox

[Wedger]

Weyhey...........

 

 

Mantisshrimpus poutus maximus

 

and the specimen weight is.....................30 gms............

 

Can I borrow some of your bait mate................

 

Seriously though, there are a few less common species turning up at the mo.. interesting to keep tabs on these..

 

Long time since I had anything really unusual but Lowe's Berix was the last I had some 6-7 years ago.

 

[Newboy]

I didn't know you can find them in the uk, they are very nice to eat (well if big enough).

Over in the far east, the large one are more expensive than lobsters.

[Rob]

 

I found a Sea Mouse in the Poole Bay Cod Comp 2009 winning fish: