Like pistol shrimp, they are capable of striking their victims with a modified second pair of legs. These can be terminated with blunt hardened spears or pointed ends. The attack speed of these legs can reach 83 km/h and during the attack, as in the case of pistol shrimps, an air bubble is produced.
Stomatopoda with blunt-tipped legs choose crabs, snails, and clams for their prey, whose carapaces they split with ease. Species with pointed legs choose prey with soft uncovered flesh that they can pierce - mainly fish.
