How long do they live?

[nflores]

I put a hitchhiker 2" mantis in my sump around three years ago. I used to feed him by hand but thought he died a few months later. I was tearing down the sump recently and almost shook hands with a 4.5" monster mantis. I'm feeding him again but how long can these guys live?

 

[Gonodactylus]

Assuming that it is a Neogonodactylus such as wennerae, the average age is 5 - 6 years. I would guess that yours is 4 years +.

Roy

 

[nflores]

Thanks for the info. He gets minimal light down there. Is that OK?

 

[Gonodactylus]

Yes, ambient is fine.

Roy