1st Stomatopod! ! !

[jeepjon]

I just got my first mantis! ! ! It was a small, greenish mantis...it was almost 2" long...I put him in my 3 gallon eclipse micro-reef...I haven't seen him yet today (it's only been an hour). So far my feeding regimen is planned to be mysis shrimp, an occasional guppy (if he likes those), brine shrimp...and any other suggestions? I can't wait until he settles in and wants to come out and visit with me! About how long do they take to settle in and start coming out to feed? I will wait 24 hours before feeding him. It looks like a possible N. Wennerae (sp?) I don't really know how to identify him that well, and I haven't gotten a close look at him yet. I'll try and get some pics when he gets a little more friendly!

 

[StrongHandsMcGee]

If it's a N. Wennerae, you're going to want to get maybe some small crabs, ghost shrimp, or snails for the lil' guy. They're smashers.

 

[jeepjon]

well, he came out when I put a little piece of raw salmon on a skewer and coaxed him out. He seemed to have clubs on his raptorial appendages rather than slicers...but I am no expert on mantis. He has a mottled green coloration, with yellow-olive drab spots all over the back of his thorax. He's a pretty little guy!