life span

[GandHaquariums]

Hey guys i'm getting a green mantis this weekend and was wondering howlong the little buggers live? Whats the longest you've ever had one?
Thanks
~Richard

 

[rwhhunt]

I've read between 3 to 20 years, on the shorter side when in captivity... I think the typical O Scyllarus is about 6 years...

 

[GandHaquariums]

awsome so he'll/she'll be around for a while thats good. I will be shure to put some pics up this weekend what type of substrate do you guys us? I'm probley just gonna use some left over fine sand. Thanks
~Richard

 

[ReefGeekster]

Here's a good link that you may find useful

http://www.blueboard.com/mantis/care/maintain.htm

 

[Gonodactylus]

The shortest life span I know of occurs in some squillids and is a couple of years. Most gonodactylids live from 3-6 years. Some large lysiosquillids live much longer, perhaps 20 years.

We have very little data on O. sycllarus, but my guess from early growth and molt frequency in aquaria is 5 years - perhaps a bit longer. The longest I have very kept on was a little over 3 years, but that was starting out with a sexually mature adult.

Roy