New mantis online?

[goblinsharkman]

I was looking at liveaquaria.com for some cleaner shrimp and i found that they added a new type of mantis to their sales.

They dont give a species and i was wondering if Dr. Roy knew any info on the mantis in the pic?

heres the site:

new mantis

 

[Gonodactylus]

If I can trust the colors, my guess is that this is Gonodactylaceus graphurus. If I'm right, it will have an orange meral spot. It certainly will not get to 6 inches. Four is probably the maximum. This is an inshore species that is reasonable hardy. They are easily collected on the coast of Queensland. I've found them in abundance off North Stradbroke Island and Magnetic Island. I've kept them a few times and they do well in captivity, so they should be a good species for aquarists. They are very aggressive and pack a strong strike, so you are probably looking at a species only tank.

Roy

 

[appleknocker]

Dr. Roy, would this G. graphurus be a mantis that can tolerate a broad light spectrum and is active during the day like the G. Smithii? Would it be more likely to eat fish or inverts? Thanks, Allen

 

[Gonodactylus]

Day active, lives shallow, and feeds mostly on crabs, snails, and hermits -- if it is G. graphurus.

Roy

 

[rwhhunt]

I saw that yesterday, and was wondering the same thing! Very pretty colors though, Lets us know if anyone orders that species from them!