Red 'Sack' of sorts with my Peacock

[SJLord]

Ok, its been a long time since ive been here, im always a lurker though ...

Ok, I have a Peacock Mantis in my 29g Biocube. I have 45lbs of live rock and a DSB (not so DSB after she has her fun). I have corals and some 'life' on the rocks. I have only had the mantis for about 2-3 weeks. Today I noticed something in her cave with her, when I got the flashlight out she (im assuming) grabbed the 'thing' and went further back into her cave. The 'thing' looked like a deflated balloon that was pink/red. Now, I could not immagine how she could have had eggs, or if they just develop naturally and they are not fertile.

<img src="http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/568/5463Lsulcatafemalesmall.jpg">

This somewhat looks like what I saw, but in her cave its difficult to see.

What should I expect? Will she care for these even if they are 'duds'? What if they are really going to hatch, I read somewhere that there is a 'slim to none' chance of their survival.

Thanks for your input.

Steven Lord

 

[Pea-brain]

Has it molted since you've gotten it? If it has it is most likely a dud, but if not they are probly fertile. It is almost impossible to raise any species out of the planktonic stages.

Dan

 

[SJLord]

It has not molted since I got her. Ok, well this will be fun to watch at least.

Thanks

 

[SJLord]

- Gone

They are gone today, I have found fragments of the 'sack' throughout the tank. Any idea why? Maybe she knew they were 'duds'? Or maybe she just abandoned them ... unknown ... I do know the sack is no longer in one piece.

S

 

[oct2274]

are peacocks typically white?

 

[Pea-brain]

That's not his pic. It just illustrates the egg sack. They have been known to slowly devour their egg sacks. Presumably because they are duds.

Dan

 

[DanInSD]

I would siphon out as much of the egg material as you can -- if it decomposes it can substantially impact water quality.

Dan