Mantis shrimp are among the most cognitively sophisticated invertebrates, with complex eyes and territorial behavior that creates unique welfare considerations in marine aquarium settings.
Mantis shrimp welfare in captivity sits at a fascinating intersection of invertebrate cognition research and practical husbandry. These remarkably sophisticated animals — whose cognitive complexity far exceeds what most people expect from crustaceans — require management that reflects their territorial nature and environmental specialization. Providing appropriate burrows that match species-specific preferences is the most critical welfare intervention: mantis shrimp that cannot occupy a suitable burrow are in a constant state of territorial insecurity. Individual housing is non-negotiable; conspecific co-housing causes the severe injuries these animals inflict on each other in the wild. Whether mantis shrimp experience something like anxiety or distress in inadequate environments remains scientifically uncertain, but the precautionary principle and evidence of their cognitive sophistication support welfare-conscious management.