Am I a hermit ??

[axeman45t]

My mantis has found a new home in a large shell. He is 3" long and dark blue/ purple with orange spots on his hammers....

 

[Gonodactylus]

There are only three species of gonodactylid with orange meral spots and both of those are in the genus Gonodactylaceus from the Indo-Pacific. It could be G. graphurus, G. glabrous, or G. ternatensis. If it has red intersegmental stripes, it is G. ternatensis. Otherwise, it is probably on of the other two.

Roy

 

[Jacob D]

Neat mantis. Any more pics?

 

[axeman45t]

 

[Jacob D]

That is one super cool mantis. Love the color.

 

[DaddyJax]

VERY nice looking mantis!! Wow, I want one!!

 

[speedsport]

Me too.

 

[Ms. K]

Wow, oh Wow! What a gorgeous animal! I have a G. ternatensis, and he's beautiful, but he doesn't have nearly the bright purple coloration seen in your pics. How jealous am I!!!

 

[Absint Reefer]

That has to be one of the coolest mantis shrimp I've ever seen!

 

[axeman45t]

Would you believe that here in Australia no one keeps them......
He came in on some live rock from the reef and was bright orange all over. I know of no one else that keeps one in my area.
I love him.....
He lives alone in a 200ltr tank with my collection of zoos.

 

[Gonodactylus]

I don't think that this is a G. ternatensis. I'm pretty sure that it is a G. graphurus, a species common along the Queensland coast. It also may be a she since the bright solid orange color mentioned is found in females, but they can change to a darker color. The purplish cast is probably due to some fluoresence.

Not many Aussies may keep stomatopods, but you have two of the best stomatopod researchers in the world - Justin Marshall at the University of Queensland and Shane Ahyong at the Australian Museum.

Roy

 

[metalManiac]

loved looking at that sucker attacking you metal prongs axeman (its mullet btw). I though you got another one but man o man, that must be a huge shell!

 

[rwhhunt]

By Far the Best Looking Mantis I have ever Seen! That purple/blue is beautiful!

 

[axeman45t]

Thanks for the feedback....
He is in the process of changing clothes... so has blocked the entrance to the shell. will try and get some better shots of him soon.