Need Some Mantis Info.

[SNAKEMANVET]

I have had a n wennera for about 2 weeks now, have notice something digging in my sand, it is about 1/4 long has dug a small tunnel that is open on both ends. It also closes it at night. my question is, are baby mantis white in color, it acts just like my other mantis in the way it moves. any info would be helpful.

 

[mickey85]

I had a teensy mantis once (about 1" long) before I killed it, and that was a whitish grey. He dug in the sand also.


Just my luck, it was probably a Smithii, and now I can't find one anywhere.

 

[Codeman00]

mickey, I feel your pain..I passed up on 2 mantis shrimps to get a N. Wennerae from TBS...the first one came in dead and the second one has been lost by USPS. I first tried to get a cool Pacific species like a Smithii and then realized that it was hopeless unless you live in California. Oh well.

Snakemanvet, how did "Booger" turn into 2 mantis shrimps?

 

[mickey85]

perhaps he bought the N. Wennerae, and the other guy is a hitchhiker on his LR?

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

After looking at it through a magnifing glass it's eyes are not extended like a mantis, has no smasher or spearing appendages. Everything else looks the same, it can move just as quick, and turns around in it's hole just like a mantis. The tunnel is approx 4'' long, it is next to the side of the glass, what ever it is ,who knows. If i can catch it without hurting it, i will post some pic's.

 

[Codeman00]

There is an invert forum for things like this..if you can snap a pic, you might want to post it there.

 

[mikehulen]

By chance is it a small pistol? I discovered a whole colony of these things in my 75g about 2 months after stocking my tank with TBS rock and sand. Reminds me of ants in an ant farm when they tunnel next to the glass sides of my tank.

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

It came in my live sand, it has small pincers that it uses to dig around looking for food. thanks guys for the input. Hey cody i have a couple of xm's 175 watt 15k bulbs that i can let you borrow.