New L. Maculata

[TrappedMetal]

Hi folks
My LFS got 2 nice maculatas - one about 6 inch and one about 9. Unfortunatly the larger one is missing an appendage so i bought the smaller one!
Hes in his tank getting settled with a really deep sand bed (easily bigger than him) at the moment with the lights off and a towel over his tank.
Are there any tips or bits of information you guys can give in regards to this particular species? I have of course read dr roys page on this stomatopod but anything else is usefull!
How long will it take him to make his burrow?
should i have burrowed a pvc tube into the sand? as i havent as i thought they use a secretion to make this.
thanks
Jaemes

 

[Gonodactylus]

Time to burrow depends on the size of the animal, where it is in its molt cycle, nutrition, and the quality of the substrate. A small lysiosquillid on a cohesive substrate can complete a burrow in hours. A large lysiosquillina on fine loose sand could takes weeks even to get started. It is limited by the amount of mucus it can produce to stick the sand grains together.

If you search the archives, you can will find my descriptions of how to jump start the process by placing a length of pvc pipe on the bottom of the tank and gradually burying it with sand.

Roy

 

[TrappedMetal]

Thanks Roy,
unfortunatly the one i had curled up in a ball from as soon as i got him and was dead by 8am the next day - the lfs gave me the larger one in return which is going excellently and has started to make a large pit which he is working on turning into a burrow.
Here are some photos

 

[Gonodactylus]

This isn't Lysiosquillina maculata. Can you get a shot of the telson and also one of the head straight on or at least which shows the shape of the antennal scales.

Notice the hole in the carapace. Can't tell if this is shell disease or an old wound. This can cause trouble when molting, but there is nothing you can do about it but wait and see.

Roy

 

[Gonodactylus]

Opppss! Hit the wrong key.

Roy

 

[TrappedMetal]

Hi roy thanks for your reply - i hope these photos help that i took whilst i was acclimating it.

Yes i notice the hole. fingers crossed on that.
If its not a maculata what is it? the head looks wrong for the other you have listed on your site as far as i can see.
Thanks for your time
James

 

[TrappedMetal]

oh and i hope you dont mind but whilst i have your attention any idea on this little guy we picked up recently?

Our educated guess is a Abdopus aculeatus.
Thanks again.
James

 

[Gonodactylus]

Looks like A. aculeatus male.


Roy

 

[TrappedMetal]

Aah thanks, any idea on the mantis?