So, I am that guy, I love super weird and mind-boggling wonderful things.
I own possibly the worlds tallest porcelain clown (I will terrify you later with photos :P)
I live with a Sun Conure that is possibility the most aggressive and naughty little parrot on earth. I get close, I bleed.
AND NOW... I have a smithii Mantis Shrimp.
A smithii, named as such in commemoration of Sir Percy William Bassett-Smith.
When an adult he or she will look like this...
By Jenny - originally posted to Flickr as mantis shrimp, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4299331
Some info on smithiis: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthropoda/crustacea/malacostraca/eumalacostraca/royslist/species.php?name=g_smithii
I will keep this intro edition short.
Over the coming weeks / years I will upload videos and share my experience living with this little terror of the seas.
For those that have no idea what a mantis shrimp is and what it is like to live with one I suggest starting with the great article by James W. Fatherree;
https://www.advancedaquarist.com/2013/5/inverts
This is my first YT video of Shrimpy McShrimpface in action. As time goes on my equipment will improve and I will have better photos and videos, so please bare with me :)
This video shows Shrimpy smashing up pieces of reef rock in order to build a door to his lair. At this stage I do not understand this behaviour. I suspect it is a night defence ritual. Each night Shrimpy shuts up shop and awaits the day, resting up for the next hunt.
YouTube
BitTube
https://bit.tube/play?hash=QmRwgMHryfY1WJMKb87zrkxMjL51FgNQoHopkFvAyKm8zZ&channel=84908
(checkout Bit.Tube - it is time YouTube lost its throne.)
Enjoy!
Peace.