Mystery mantis...Dr. Roy, any ideas?

[Uriel]

Hey there Dr. Roy. One of your assisitants frequents Grimreefers, and he said that my description of these guys (I had no pics at that point) sounded like G. Viridis, as well as the store that has them getting LR from sources where G. Viridis lives. They look a bit like my G. Viridis, in back 'pattern', as well as their telsons, though they could be something else (N Wenn, or anything..as i am no expert...).
I just could not get a look at their meral spots, as they kept turning away from the camera when I had it out.

The guys at the store, who had formerly not allowed pictures allowed me to take these, in the hopes that someone would perhaps want them. I would like to get them into decent homes ASAP, since living in a little plastic dish isn't the best way to live. If they are G. Viridis, I might pick one up as well, since my 'Mantis Hotel' is nearing completion, and I will soon have a few empty Eclipse tanks.

Without further adieu...

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=101266&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=101269&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=101283&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=101284&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500

Pic quality wasn't the best, as the plastic containers that they were in were hardly perfectly clear. Hope that you can shed some light on these little fellows.

-Ron

 

[Gonodactylus]

I assume the meral spots are white and the animal is from the Indo-Pacific. It looks like a G. viridis from a grass bed.

Roy

 

[Uriel]

I am heading back there on Monday. If I see White meral spots, then I guess it is G. Viridis,eh?
Hmmm...Do I want a second G. Viridis...that is the question.

It's looking like I might have some space in my smaller Eclipse tanks once I move some of my current mantis into the 'Motel'. Or, since I wanted a mantis in my refugium,perhaps he/she would retain that beautiful coloration amongst the macro algae(caulerpa and all...) ?


-Ron

 

[Bugs825]

What ever it is, its neat. I love the neon green.

Nathan

 

[Absint Reefer]

how big dose this mantis get

 

[Gonodactylus]

They rarely exceed 55-60 mm.

Roy

 

[Absint Reefer]

What are meral spots and what do they have to do with identification?

 

[tlouie]

uriel,

those are the mantis at 6th ave aquarium right?

 

[Uriel]

Yes...

Don't buy em out! haha
that's what i was going to put in that 5 gallon hex that I need to pick up from you.

G. Viridis, from what Dr. Roy says.

There are two left...from the four that they had.

Hopefully, my post helped them go to good homes.

Tlouie, I'm messaging you about picking up that tank now.

-Ron