Pics of the new mantis and tank

[Darold]

I picked up this mantis at the fish store for $10. Although I originally wanted a harlequin, I didn't like the idea of feeding it live starfish. I have him in my 2.5g tank that is plumbed in with my 5.5g and refugium. He is no longer tapping at the glass. I probed him with a pen, and the hardest punch he gave it wasn't close enough to break the glass (About as strong as a hard flick with your fingers). Currently he is the only thing in the tank with the exception of zoo's and shrooms. What type of snails/crabs other food should I place in there? He seemed very happy with the frozen shrimp I gave him. He is about as long as a small cell phone (4-5")

 

[Gonodactylus]

You have a really nice male Gonodactylaceus ternatensis. This species is common in Thailand, Indonesia and Australia. However, it is a live coral specialist and is generally only found living in very brancy corlas where it chips out a cavity in the center of the coral head. Because it is almost always found in live coral, it is not commonly collected and sold. It worries me that quite a few of them have been showing up in the last year from Indonesia. This suggests to me that collectors have discovered where this showy species lives and have started smashing coral heads to get them.

Roy

 

[Darold]

That sounds horrible. Although I am happy to have a "rare" specimen, it worries me that people will think I knowingly bought something that has been aquired by causing harm to a coral. Should I be concerned with him harming the corals in my tank? None of them are remotely big enough for him to live in.

 

[Gonodactylus]

It's not really rare, just not frequently collected.

I wouldn't worry too much about coral damage. They sometimes will chip away a branch or two trying dig under the colony, but they usually find that they don't fit and move on.

Roy

 

[Darold]

He seems to like his new home. He has been moving sand out to get more room. I often look over and see him peeking at me, but as soon as I grab the camera, he runs and hides. I did manage to get one moderately decent pick in. Unfortunately the glass was not clean, and the lighting in the tank doesn't help either. I will have to figure out how to get better pictures if the 2.5g.

 

[majestic sea life]

its going to need a bigger tank u said 4'' mantis a 2.5gal is 12'' or 16'' i forgot its going to need a 10gal + i say 20gal + tank

 

[Darold]

Although I like him, I plan on giving him away once he gets larger. I am beginning to think I would prefer a Harlequin a little more than the mantis, but he is fun for now. Also, does it hard him for me to put a pen in and let him punch it? I have not been feeding him anything he needs to "beet up," but have heard it is good for the mantis to exercise these appendages.

 

[mantisshrimp]

Where did you get that at, what LFS? I am from their,I work at Cappuccino Bay.

 

[majestic sea life]

hey PM me when u dont want him ill take him. I called first lol.

 

[Darold]

Mantis, I actually picked him up a few minutes after leaving your store. I got him for $15 up the road at Marine Store and Reef. I think I will be coming back to pick up a Harlequin from you guys to put in the tank.

Majestic, you have the PM you are looking for.

 

[8BALL_99]

Looks kewl, Can't believe you dont like him. Good luck with the harlequin.