How to pair up a G. ternatensis couple?

[T-T-Trigger]

Someone out there must have gotten a male and female of one species or other together, so share some experience if you can. I have just found a male ternatensis, and already had the female. Trouble is that the female is 4"+ and the male is maybe 2. Is it possible to mate them?

 

[Gonodactylus]

There are too many variables here for me to give you reliable advice. In general, female G. ternatensis will only mate when the female is ready to lay eggs. You can tell that by the state of development of her sternal cement glands. Also, females "test" males prior to mating by showing some aggression. Given that you have a small G.t male, he could be in for a tough time unless she is really, realy primed to mate.
Then there is the physical difference in size. It is going to be rough for the male to turn the female and reach the gonopores. I've seen males succeed at doing this when there was a large size difference, but it isn't easy.

If it were me, I would first access the female's reproductive condition and if she were reproductive, I would set them up in a tank with a divider and not too much cover. After a couple of days, I would pull the divider and watch quietly with net in hand. If nothing happened, I would separate them and try again in a day or two.

Roy

Roy

 

[T-T-Trigger]

Thanks Dr. Ruth..umm. I mean Dr. Caldwell. I have them separated and will probably keep it that way for some time, until I become more experienced with them certainly. The ternatensis female is so amazingly personable and beautiful that I am happy just to have another one (and a different color no less). Thanks again, I wish I had a better pic for you, but this is the only one I have now.


Male:

 

[Gonodactylus]

That is a male G.t. Do you know what importer they are coming through?

Roy

 

[T-T-Trigger]

No, I can tell you the female came from Tropical Paradise in San Leandro - so probably one of the Hayward wholesalers.


This male G. t. I picked up yesterday in Berkeley, just a couple blocks down from you I suppose - at the Octopus Garden on Shattuck.

Oh, and same for the Pseudosquilla Ciliata - Berkeley also.


thanks for all the help so far, I greatly appreciate it.

 

[mantisshrimp]

Could you get me a ciliata?!

 

[mantisshrimp]

Could you get me a ciliata?!