australian mantis shrimp id?

[kyliegirl]

I finally foudn the culprit of the clicks in my tank, I knew it was a mantis shrimp in there but it didnt seem to do too much harm, finally this morning while feeding the clowns I spotted the little bugger and his home.

My only problem is i cant take a photo because hes so small, barely more than 1 cm across.

the little guy has long antennas which are white and black/green striped all the way. his body is bright green with a white marking near the head and possibly some darker green markings around his head. I only had a quick glimpse but ive never seen anything like this one.

My attempt to try to capture him failed.

sorry i cant get a photo

 

[Gonodactylus]

The striped antennules suggest a Haptosquilla, but that is about as far as I can take it from the description.

Roy

 

[kyliegirl]

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthro...costraca/royslist/species.php?name=h_hamifera

that looks like it, only with a light brightish green body

 

[Gonodactylus]

Most Haptosquilla species are coloy polymorphic and black, brown, green and tan are common background colors.

Roy

 

[kyliegirl]

they seem very shy considering this is the first time in 6 months ive ever seen it. I knew it was there, i did searches every night and couldnt spot him and when im not looking he shows up!

I dont know how it survived through my major tank dramas, but he did.
I think its fine to stay in the tank, it hasnt done anything bad yet and i think its been keeping some crabs at bay, pity hes too small to take on some of the sneaky big ones.

beautiful guy from what i seen ^_^ I just wish hed show his face more