seeking help with mantis species ID

[Reefgoddess2]

I finally caught this mantis after it was in my main tank for two years. Most of the live rock was from Fiji but there were some pieces I bought with attached corals that look like the denser aquacultured rock. The mantis is about two inches long. It generally ignored the fish in the tank but I blame it for the disappearance of all my snails and Lysamta and peppermint shrimps. Any idea what speciies this is? Just curious.

Photos are here:

www.geocities.com/reefgoddess/mantis.jpg


www.geocities.com/reefgoddess/mantis2.jpg

 

[Reefgoddess2]

Sorry, the previous links do not work. Did not realize Geocities does not let you link to message boards. Try these:


http://mysite.verizon.net/jfretwell/mantis.jpg


http://mysite.verizon.net/jfretwell/mantis2.jpg

 

[Jace18]

Sorry can not help with id but wow very nice looking mantis

 

[Reefgoddess2]

Thanks. I have been doing further research and think I have a Neogonodactylus wennerae. I did add some pieces of what appears to be Florida rock 6 months after the tank was set up and it was after that addition I first started hearing the clicks! Any opinions, does this look like N. wennerae?

 

[RogueCorps]

Hi Reefgoddess,

Great looking stomatopod you've got there. This thread might have a possible I.D. for you. Read Dr. Roy's post describing N. Oerstedii.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=2190284#post2190284

hth!

-Rogue

 

[MJI]

How bout G.Smithii?? Merals and dactyl look the same as mine and think I can make out a red spot on the telson??

 

[Gonodactylus]

For now, call it Gonodactylus smithii. However, it is possible that the animals from Fiji that we have been calling G. smithii could be an undescribed species. They clearly are very close, but there appear to be a few differences.

Roy