Indentification Help Please

[Thromgar]

I got this mantis yesterday at my LFS for free, as he was an unwanted hitchiker in one of their customers tanks.

He is about 21/2 to 3 inches in length. Probably full grown as the guy in the shop thought he was at least a few years in the tank he had been in before. I just set him up in his own tank, and i am trying to figure out what species he is in order to care for the specific needs of the species.

I know my photos are terrible, but these are the best I could get for now. Maybe I can get better ones later on.

Thanks for any help you can give me, I really appreciate it.

 

[Pea-brain]

Terrible is flattering to those photos

I might see a red intersegmental line, indicating G. ternatensis or G. smithii, and the dactyl has a blue-ish color (maybe) which would also indicate smithii, but its guesswork with those photos. Perhaps you could describe the color of the meral spot on the mantis? (Colored indent on the inside of each of the "arms")

Dan

 

[Thromgar]

Yeah, sorry about that, I will try and get a closer look at the important characteristics, and to get a better picture asap. Right now he is tucked up inside some live rock in his new home.

 

[Thromgar]

Ok, well no new photo yet, however I did get a better look at him.

His raptoral appendages have a kind of shiny green highlight, he is a kind of reddish brown all over with spots that flouresce green in the light. His meral spot is black, or maybe a really dark shade of purple surrounded by a lighter purple.

Not sure if it is important but there is a small red dot on either side of his tail as well.

I am having trouble getting a good picture, so this will have to do until I can get a better camera. or get him to sit still for a picture.

 

[Pea-brain]

Definately G. smithii from the description. Congrats

Dan

 

[Thromgar]

Awesome, thanks a lot for your help.

 

[Pea-brain]

If anyone is wondering, I say that because of the Dark purple meral spots and two red dots near telson.

Dan