Gorgeous hitchhiking mantis female- ID help

Muze813

Muze813

New member
Hello everyone,

I have been reading about mantis shrimp (and regularly reading this forum) for the past couple years. Have never had, or even seen one in person until now. I just got a shipment of liverock on Friday from Tampa Bay Saltwater (Florida Keys aquaculture site), and it came with this really pretty red girl mantis. She is caring for a clutch of eggs. About 4 inches long. Definitely a smasher. I'm guessing that she is probably wennerae? I'm hoping for some feedback about ID, especially since she has her eggs.

If she is a wennerae, I have read Dr. Roy's article about rearing that species. I know it's not easy, but I feel like I should at least give it a try. She is putting a lot of effort into caring for those eggs, and certainly didn't choose to come into my home this weekend!

My husband keeps joking with me that I am head-over-heels, which is probably true. lol She is just awesome. I currently have her in a JBJ nanocube by herself. I haven't been able to get her to except any live foods (offering crabs) from tongs yet...although I read that usually females don't eat while they are caring for eggs? If it helps with the ID confirmation, her eggs are not attached to her swimmerets...they are in this independent red ball that she constantly holds, turns over, and cleans. Sorry for the bad picture quality. Any advice is appreciated. I love this forum. Thanks!

Also, I would recommend Tampa Bay Saltwater to anyone. The liverock is amazing, and the owner, Richard, sent me tons of extras along with my shipment. I actually received two mantis (the other a smaller green female) that went to live with a friend.

Christina
 

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Thank you! I love her. lol Any thoughts on the ID? Think Wennerae is a pretty good guess?

Has anyone been successful rearing eggs?
 
Thank you! I love her. lol Any thoughts on the ID? Think Wennerae is a pretty good guess?

Has anyone been successful rearing eggs?
 
Great suprize,,,,, I am going to be ordering the 100 gal package from TBS in the next couple of months. What did you think about the rock. Would love to see some pics of the your tank and rocks.
 
Muze813 said:
Thank you! I love her. lol Any thoughts on the ID? Think Wennerae is a pretty good guess?

Has anyone been successful rearing eggs?
Click to expand...

Considering we know where the rock came from and it matches the description, it can be a pretty safe assumption that she is a N. wennerae.

There is a local fish store nearby that has a breeding pair of N. wennerae in a 125 long. To date they have not been able to keep any of the eggs that hatch. They end up being skimmate or food for the maroon clown and rabbitfish being kept in the tank.

Very beautiful mantis shrimp by the way. =)
 
The problem with breeding and raizing the young is that in the larval stage there very very cannabalistic one could almost say that a primary source of there nutrion is there .... brothers and sisters.... lol

You would need to place each larva in an individual containers and even then the chance of getting through the planktonic stage are virtually 0.01% chance. It's certainly been tried, I myself have had a couple of "spawnings" in my tank but as of yet 0 surviving babies, MILLIONS of them when they hatch, the water goes all cloudy from all the babies mantis =D.
 
Great pics!

I received one that looks just lke yours as a hitchiker on the rocks I received from Tampa Bay Saltwater a few weeks ago. It prompted me to quickly put together a second tank for the mantis. Mine molted a few days after I received it, turned green post-molt, and is back reddish now.

Great fun to watch 'em. Love the way they scuttle and rotate their eyes.

Mine has eaten silversides (small piece of one) and has taken mysis, and appeared to nibble on some pellets when I was feeding the damsels. It didn't eat for ~the first week I had it, then finally took the silversides. I think a part of the reluctantce to eat was the molt, and a part was from adjusting to a new environment. He seems settled in now.

-Thanko
 
Mine large spearers are PIGS!

Eat, Eat, Eat, Eat & EAT!

I wouldn't be surprised that if when it comes time to drain there current tank (cause it needs to be moved for my ultimate setup) that I find a graveyard of fish skeletons etc. In the past few months they would of easily cleaned up 36+ fish all around the 2-3inch sizing.

The only time they haven't been actively feeding is pre/post molt and its a good sign too that there going to molt.
 
MARINECRITTERS said:
red mantis shrimp ( Gonodactylus affinus )


Im not sure on the scientific name though.
Click to expand...

N. Wennerae (as well as others) also show up in a red morph, just depends on the area of collection (depth plays a substantial role in coloration)..and judging by it being from TBS, i would definitely concur its a Wennerae. beautiful mantis regardless!!:thumbsup:
 
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