fish ID needed

I was diving today and a shrimp looking think swam by me and landed on some kelp. It looked like the berkley powerbait shrimps. It was about 8-9 inches long. What type of solo swimming, large shrimp live around Monterey?

First of all, it's probably not a fish.

At 8-9 inches long it could be a juvenile spiny lobster but more likely it's a mantis shirmp.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantis_shrimp

http://www.google.com/images?q=mantis+shrimp

I don't know where you were, but as far as mantis Shrimp go, back in the mid 80's thousands of them started washing up in the Monterey area, word then was that they had probably migrated in due to an El Nino condition and then were dying off, I haven't seen one since but I recognize the pic.

They look tasty!!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

I think the large numbers of shrimp-like critters that came along during the El Nino years were Pelagic Red Crabs as opposed to the Mantis shrimp. The red crabs float along with the warm currents & are usually a telltale sign of good fishing

About all I know of Mantis Shrimp is that, while they are delicious, they are wicked little critters that can remove fingers if you aren't careful. A few years ago on a charter trip I watched someone snag one on their RF jig & the deckhands were somewhat concerned that it came aboard. They used some of those super long pliers to shake it off the hook & over the side.

I think the large numbers of shrimp-like critters that came along during the El Nino years were Pelagic Red Crabs as opposed to the Mantis shrimp. The red crabs float along with the warm currents & are usually a telltale sign of good fishing

About all I know of Mantis Shrimp is that, while they are delicious, they are wicked little critters that can remove fingers if you aren't careful. A few years ago on a charter trip I watched someone snag one on their RF jig & the deckhands were somewhat concerned that it came aboard. They used some of those super long pliers to shake it off the hook & over the side.

I did a little research and think you're right on the ID of the thousands (millions) of dead crabs I saw years ago, seems at the time I also heard about the dangers of handling Mantis shrimp as I thought it might be good to try and gather some of the ones Pelagic red crabs I guess)  still hanging out in MB alive.  With the quality of my memory, getting two stories mixed and coming out as one doesn't surprise me.

Look up mantis shrimp on youtube.....those things are BRUTAL!!!

you know, in china, mantis shrimp are a delicacy. even though their name in chinese translated to english is "pissing shrimp". 

i'm not a shrimp eater, especially not of any pissing type shrimp.

They look tasty!!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

That gave me my best audible chuckling fit in weeks.   

Great info here - I've added "don't mess w/ shrimp" to my personal ocean advisory list.  (although I'm definitely curious about handling one now  )

ive seen a picture of a guy who tried use a mantis shrimp as bait. DONT handle them . the guy had is finger slip wide open!! they will fu** you up.

Those things are freaky looking!

I remember looking at it and thinking, "that thing is huge, I bet it would be delicious on the side next to some ab." I'm always hesitant to grab anything I am not familiar with so I just looked at it for a minute and then went on my way. I guess I made the right decision.

I remember looking at it and thinking, "that thing is huge, I bet it would be delicious on the side next to some ab." I'm always hesitant to grab anything I am not familiar with so I just looked at it for a minute and then went on my way. I guess I made the right decision.

Should've shot it!!!!

I will keep my eyes open out there for more!!

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

I remember looking at it and thinking, "that thing is huge, I bet it would be delicious on the side next to some ab." I'm always hesitant to grab anything I am not familiar with so I just looked at it for a minute and then went on my way. I guess I made the right decision.

Should've shot it!!!!

I will keep my eyes open out there for more!!

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

The way that thing looks you better hope that shot kills it 

Zero take on invertebrates in SWS....if you decide to play patty cake with them make sure you get it on vid and don't take em home