I'm sure this question has been asked a million times already, but what is the normal amount of time that it takes for a mantis to molt, and roughly how much time between moltings? We have an N. Wenn in a 5g nanocube (had the guy for about 2 years now) and we haven't seen him in about three days. Prior to October he was in a much larger tank, so I wasn't able to observe his behaviour on a daily basis. Just wondering if I should be worried at this point.
mantis molting?
- Thread starter chilyb56
- Start date
Gonodactylus
Premium Member
The duration of the molting behavior and the time between molts varies with size. New recruits in the 10 mm range molt every two weeks and are secretive for a day. 15 -20 mm animals molt at least every every month. By the time the animals get to reproductive size of around 30 mm, they molt every 1-2 months and if the female lays eggs, they take a month off for egg laying and brooding. Larger animal in the 40-50 mm range molt only every 3 or 4 months and can be secretive for two weeks. I might add that growth also decreases with age and size. New recruits grow around 10-15% body lenght while 30 mm animals are down around 7% and large ones under 5%.
These data are a summary of field data taken on over 50,000 N. bredini and N. wennerae collected over the years in Panama. Lab or aquarium animals can vary depending on temperaure and the amount of food they have. Also, molting rate and growth slows if they do not have a decent cavity. Hope this helps answer your questions.
Roy
These data are a summary of field data taken on over 50,000 N. bredini and N. wennerae collected over the years in Panama. Lab or aquarium animals can vary depending on temperaure and the amount of food they have. Also, molting rate and growth slows if they do not have a decent cavity. Hope this helps answer your questions.
Roy
Thanks Roy, that is helpful information. I would estimate that our mantis is about 4 cm long now (and was 2 - 2 1/2 cm about 2 years ago). So the 3 to 4 month range between molts makes sense, and it has been 3 1/2 months since he (she?) has been moved to the nanocube. I'll just keep my eye out for him. He was highly interactive before this - chasing fingers and even jumping off LR and swimming across the tank - so my feeling is that he's probably ok.
Do you think it's ok to do some arranging of the rockwork while he's in hiding, or is it better to not disturb?
A second question - can you estimate an age for a 4 cm long N. Wennerae?
Jason
Do you think it's ok to do some arranging of the rockwork while he's in hiding, or is it better to not disturb?
A second question - can you estimate an age for a 4 cm long N. Wennerae?
Jason
Gonodactylus
Premium Member
If the animal has been in hiding for more than a week, it has probably molted. Minor disturbance should not hurt. It would not be advisable to expose it the day that it molts.
I would estimate a 40 mm N. wennerae to be between three and four years old. Maximum life span is around 5 years. One caution, however. This estimate is based on Panamanian populations. Most N. wennerae in the U.S. come from the Gulf Coast of Florida which is cooler part of the year. This could slow growth. That might add a year to the maximum age.
Roy
I would estimate a 40 mm N. wennerae to be between three and four years old. Maximum life span is around 5 years. One caution, however. This estimate is based on Panamanian populations. Most N. wennerae in the U.S. come from the Gulf Coast of Florida which is cooler part of the year. This could slow growth. That might add a year to the maximum age.
Roy
Dr. Roy,
One of my O. scyllarus has just molted. He is now a wonderful yellowish color, btw (Yellow is my favorite color, woohoo!).
Anyways, how long does an O. s. usually go before they start eating again?
He obviously isn't ready to strike, as he acted alarmed when I introduced a crab (even a small one), turning around and doing his patented 'snow blower' water/sand deluge, sending the crab reeling end-over-end and away from him. He also refused thawed scallop (A fave of his, usually...).
I'm not panicking about him not eating, but I also am not sure just how famished they are after a molt.
Thanks for any help,
-Ron
One of my O. scyllarus has just molted. He is now a wonderful yellowish color, btw (Yellow is my favorite color, woohoo!).
Anyways, how long does an O. s. usually go before they start eating again?
He obviously isn't ready to strike, as he acted alarmed when I introduced a crab (even a small one), turning around and doing his patented 'snow blower' water/sand deluge, sending the crab reeling end-over-end and away from him. He also refused thawed scallop (A fave of his, usually...).
I'm not panicking about him not eating, but I also am not sure just how famished they are after a molt.
Thanks for any help,
-Ron
Gonodactylus
Premium Member
It depends on the size. Assuming the animal is around 4.5 inches, it usually takes a few days (4 or 5) before they take soft food and a couple of weeks to start killing armorned prey. The one exception is that they will often eat their molt skin in a day or two.
Roy
Roy
Sorry for not being specific. it is my largr O.scyllarus, which I estimate (taking into account Reefers' ovrestimating...) 4-4.5" or so.
I saw his main carapace section a couple of days before, which indicated the molt, as well as his color change.
I will go to the store and get some super fresh seafood (They will all appreciate that, I am sure), and just offer that daily, letting him take his time.
Thanks for the quick response.
-Ron
I saw his main carapace section a couple of days before, which indicated the molt, as well as his color change.
I will go to the store and get some super fresh seafood (They will all appreciate that, I am sure), and just offer that daily, letting him take his time.
Thanks for the quick response.
-Ron
