Mantis color change - Problem????

[duckhuntboy]

I have a small, 1 1/2" smasher... Not sure what species it is, but it was definately completely brown for the last month I've had him.

Today, he's turned completely green. What the hell is going on? Is he healthy, or do I need to help him out in some way? Here's the best pic I have of him:

And another

And another

What's the Problem?!?!?!

 

[cjm033]

ok heres what i think from several posts before i have heard mantis can change color imediatly during a molt due to stress, enviorment change,various foods and many other reasons thats probly the most likely reason it changed color i dont think its anything to worry about too much just keep an eye and wiat for someone who is positive this is the case to respond good luck,Chris

 

[Wee Man]

aqua teens away

PS HOME MOVIES IS BETTER

 

[duckhuntboy]

Hey Chris.... Maybe his misses the mantis I was going to send you (the one that he ate). And what is wee man talking about? I'll keep you posted. I hope he's allright....

 

[cjm033]

i kno whow the mantis feels i remember when i ate all my roomates i felt pretty lonely lol. but hopefully he should be ok ,Chris

ps
(hes talkn about cartoons i like aqua teen hunger force better home movies is ok)

 

[Gonodactylus]

Gonodactylids have excellent color vision and this helps them to respond to different light environments to match background. Your animal probably came from deeper water where brown is a good color for matching background. Most of the light at these depths is blue, so a stomatopod that appears brown in white light is probably pretty non-descript at depth. Near the surface - or in your tank - there is a lot of broad spectrum light and even if there isn't any in your tank, in the field there would probably be lots of green algae and sea grasses. Green would be a good color to be in this environment.

This brown or brick color from depth - green at the surface - is common in Neogonodactylus wennerae. The change can only occur when the animal molts and sheds its old skin that contains the brown pigments.

Roy

 

[duckhuntboy]

True that, Roy. He had a freshly shed molt laying at the bottom of the tank today, and is looking much better in color. Thanks for the I.D. as well.

 

[cuda6872]

When I caught my mantis out of the LFS's reeftank, it was black. After setting up a small 5 gal tank full of seaweed he changed colors to match the surrounding calurpa. That took a few weeks. Thumper has been bright green ever since. I wouldn't worry too much if I were you. BTW yours looks like mine, only darker.
mike