Determining the sex of a male O. havanensis

[Gonodactylus]

This small (37mm) Odontodactylus havanensis conveniently reared up on the glass when I was photographing it today. The male gonopods are clearly visible extending in from the base of the last pair of walking legs.

Roy

 

[Diet Plain]

Great picture! It took me a while to find out what sex my mantids were because I didn't know exactly where to look.

 

[althefishguy]

Roy You are The Man !!!!

 

[mattyice]

im so close to ordering a small one for my 11G at work, i have all of the sand, a nice piece of LR and all i need is salt mix and RO water lol

 

[Gonodactylus]

Take it slow. O havanensis is a great animal for a small system, but they are very intolerant of poor water conditions or low oxygen. If the tank is not well cycled, you are asking for trouble. More than once I have killed animals by just stirring up the substrate.

Also, these guys are incredible jumpers. An adult can easily clear 4 inches. They can be very hyper and freak out when you have the lid off a tank. Falls to the floor are not well-tolerated. Again, I speak from experience.

Roy

 

[mattyice]

i am going to take it slow it looks like a mantis shrimp with so much interest in its surroundings which will be perfect for my office