Dr, Roy, molt question about my G. tern...

[Uriel]

Hey there, Dr. Roy.

Here's the problem:

My tern doesn't have a fully secure burrow. She has 2 big 'holed' pieces of LR, one in a corner, but the top and back side are open. I have black covering that corner, so that it isn't see-through, which she seems to appreciate. I believe that she is either molting or about to molt, as she has become very withdrawn, when before she was active and adventurous. She spent several days dragging caulerpa prolifera from around the tank and using it to wrap the entrabce, try and cover the top.

My question is this: If I run out and buy a piece of PVS pipe, wil she move into it in mid-molt (if that is what she is doing).

I didn't want any ugly pipe in the tank, but if it makes her feel more secure until the process is complete, then I'm already out the door and off to the hardware store. As well, providing I do buy it, how do you wash it, in order to be thorough etc...


-Ron

 

[Uriel]

I just looked, and her dactyls are a white-ish color now.So, either she molted anbd they changed color...or she is moltin and they haven't hardened yet?'. I know (from raising insects) that newly molted creatures sometimes have the color come in gradually.

Am I right on this assumption in Mantis Shrimp?


_Ron

 

[Gonodactylus]

No. Most stomatopods do not change color much after a molt. There are some subtle shifts, but in general the animal will be fully colored when it molts. There are a few exceptions, but they are cases of polarized structures, etc. Your G. t probably molted.

Roy