My New Friend

[Dastank]

Well, My tank has been clicking for months and a few days ago I finally saw the little guy. He's small 1.5 inches maybe 2 inches. I've started feeding him shrimp, but he's a little shy about coming out of his hole, but he's almost always peeking out. I'm not sure what he is exactly, but I'm guessing Haptosquilla trispinosa with the stripped antennae. Of course that is a complete guess.

Here he is...

 

[yiliyang]

That is really nice. perfect size too. I wish I had one like it.

 

[Gonodactylus]

This is a nice Haptosquilla. I can't be sure of the species without seeing the whole animal, but it could be H. trispinosa or one of the half dozen very similar species. The blue patches on the first maxillipeds that are visible in your photograph are strongly linearly polarized and are used in courtship. Don't expect this animal to come out and interact. They rarely leave their cavities. Feeding is mostly sit and wait predation on passers by. They will dart out into the water column to pick off macroplankton. I can usually get the to swim out two or three body lengths to catch live brine shrimp. Most of these specie come from Indonesia and the Philippines.

Roy

 

[yiliyang]

Now that I hear the expert take on this, I really wished I could get one for my mixed reef. How cool will that be? You have a cool mantis, it does not come out to eat your critters and it looks good.

You are lucky man, it is like having your cake and eat it too.

Yili

 

[DanInSD]

It depends on what you want. I had a Haptosquilla glyptocerus that didn't kill anything, but the most you ever saw of it was it's eyes and maybe a little hint of carapace. Eh. Personally, I want something more interactive.

As far as I'm concerned, if you're looking for something for a mixed reef, a pistol/goby combo is much more rewarding. For a mantis tank, I want something interactive.

 

[justinl]

interactive and semi reef safe? My vote is for G. smitthii.

 

[Dastank]

Roy,

You hit the nail on the head. He'll come out for food, but only a body length or two. He will eat mystis shrimp from tweezers, little guy whacks the @#$% out of them too. Most of the time he's perched just like he is in the picture.

I have a tank that has a few fish, some hermits, a mix of snails, and a lot of coral. My goal wasn't a mantis tank, but I'm considering making my tank at work one. For a little hitch hiker that has been hiding in my tank for months, takes food from tweezers, and doesn't seem to cause any problems he's perfect! I'm hoping that if I feed him he won't cause too much trouble. I mean he can eat all he wants (hermits & snails) but this tank is really about coral not him and if he's turns out to be a big problem he'll be leaving.

I do enjoy feeding him and having him in my tank, I hope he works out!