New Mantis

[Marc Daniels]

I recently acquired a new mantis, and I'm pretty sure that it is either a N. wennerae or N. bredini. My problem is that it is very small, I mean 3/4" to 1". What can I possibly feed somthing this small? I have tried some pods out of my sump, raw shrimp, etc, but I want to try to feed it something that will exercise the smashing appendage.

I have included 2 pics, as well as a pic of my Rainbow Mantis that I've had for about 2 years...affectionately named Chaka Prawn.

Marc

New Mantis

Chaka Prawn

 

[Mkman]

What species is Chaka Prawn? That shrimp looks very nice!

 

[Marc Daniels]

I believe that Chaka is a Pseudosquilla ciliata, or more commonly refered to as the Rainbow Mantis due to its ability to change color. There is a pictrure att he folowing linkj, and Chaka looks identical to the yellow mantis in the top picture.

 

[Marc Daniels]

Sorry, here's the link.

Sorry, here's the link.

Rainbow Mantis Pictures

 

[twocoloreyes]

i wonder how you get them to look like that? mine is just brown and green.

 

[Marc Daniels]

Mine came that color and has never changed. Here is a pic of it eating a piece of raw shrimp this morning.

I also added a pic of the 30 gallon tall that I have it in. It has a bunch of zoos and mushrooms, several snails/hermits and one very lucky Neon damsel. Chaka managed to capture the other 2 damsels that were in the tank over a span of about 2 months. The remaining damsel is pretty good size now, and I don't think Chaka would go after it as a food item, but maybe in a territorial dispute.

I feed Chaka 3-4 times per week, and try to make at least one of the feedings live prey such as enriched ghost shrimp, camel shrimp, small damsel, etc.

Marc

 

[Mkman]

Anyone have any idea were I can get a spearer mantis like Chaka? I'd like to get one in my tank.

Marc, were did you get yours??

 

[Marc Daniels]

I got mine from Capital Aquarium here in Sacramento.

 

[dwarfatize]

I got one almost identical to Marc's at Tropical Paradice in San Leandro.

 

[Gonodactylus]

Pseudosquilla ciliata has one of the broadest distributions of any stomatopod occurring from the Caribbean to Hawaii. The only tropical waters where it is not found are the west coast of the Americas. They frequently show up in shipments from Indonesia, but interestingly, it is more likely that you will find a yellow morph than a brown or green one. Yellow morphs are rarer on a reef flat, but collectors see them as such and know that they will bring a higher price.

 

[twocoloreyes]

hey roy, have you ever kept a brown p.s. ciliata that eventually molted to a yellow morph? if so, how did this occur? enviroment? diet?

mine is cool as he is, but it would be nice to see some bright colors in my tank.