Lysiosquillina maculata

Scientific name : Lysiosquillina maculata

Large spearer (up to 38 cm), normally the male's head is seen coming out from the sand, grey in colour, finely white peppered. Oval white spotted eyes. The body shows an horizontal dark and light grey banding. Female orange in colour, also banded, with smaller eyes and claws. More commonly seen on black volcanic sand. An ambush predator on fish and crustaceans.
Possible confusion with Lysiosquillina lisa, which is orange-brown in colour and has more elongated eyes.

Associated organisms
Often shrimps are seen in L. maculata burrow (see also Lysiosquillina lisa). The shrimp gains protection and access to the food discarded by the mantis shrimp. We do not know which the benefit for the mantis shrimp, if any. We would exclude a cleaning action (mantis shrimps, provided with many appendages, can perfectly clean themselves).