Got him! Black with 2 yellow stripes.

[bronco1500]

Ok got a freebie on my live rock last month. A mantis. I found him last week and put him in a 2.5 gallon w/ an undergravel. He is about one inch long, black with a yellow stripe across his tail and neck. He is cool and i would like to keep him. What should i feed him? How big will he get? He was clicking LOUD when i fished him out. Anybody know where i can find info on this species? Thanks to anybody who can help!!!!!!!

 

[Gonodactylus]

The dual stripe across the telson and carapace is a fairly common theme in a number of stomatopod groups. It occurs in some Haptosquillids, Chorisquillids, and Coronids to name a few. However, I can't think of any I have seen that are black with a yellow stripe. Usually the stripe is white. I'm afraid I would have to see it to make a positive ID. It will probably take a close up view of the telson to even make a guess.

Given that most of the species I mentioned above come from the Indo-Pacific, I'm guessing that this guy came from Fiji, Tonga, or somewhere in that area. Most of these animals do not get very large - 2 inches max and most only about 1.5.

If you ever get up to Berkeley, bring him along and I can try to ID him for you.

Roy

 

[bronco1500]

I took a better look and the stripes could be white instead of yellow. What should i feed him? Thanks for the help!!!!!!!

 

[Gonodactylus]

These species will eat a wide variety of things. I feed mine live brine shrimp supplemented with bits of freeze-dried krill, bits of raw shrimp, etc.

Roy