Smithii not healthy!? Please Help.

[richofoz]

I checked my tanks this morning and found my smithii rolling around on the sand pushing its face and rapt's in to the substrate. It looks like it's very stressed. It only moulted a few months back (4 maybe 6) so I don't think its moulting, but it does sort of look like it's trying something off.
I have never seen a happy animal behave this way. Does any one know what's going on?
I didn't have time to test the tank before work but apart from up to 20ppm nitrates the tank is generally pretty healthy.
Thanks for any advice, Rich.

 

[Gonodactylus]

The behavior you describe is typical of a failed molt. An adult G. smithii will molt every 3 or 4 months.

Roy

 

[richofoz]

Not the news I was looking for but I thought it might be the case...! Thankyou Dr. Roy...

I have kept spiders for several years and once had one get stuck during it's moult. It was only one leg stuck and I ended up saving the spider by removing the leg. It was too old to fully grow the limb back before it died, but at least it lived a little longer...

Are stomatapods capable of dropping a limb in the same way spiders can? If it were just a leg or a raptorial appendage is there any point to me trying to do ther same as i did with the spider?

I know it wouldn't be easy to do with an unhappy mantis, but I think if I can do it with an angry tarrantula I'm happy to give it a go to possible save my friends life...

If he's definately not going to make it and he's still alive when I get home should I euthanase him?

Thanks again Dr. Roy.

 

[Gonodactylus]

It is not uncommon for just the raptorial appendages to be stuck and for the stomatopod eventually tear them off. They sometimes survive. If the eyes or other parts of the head are stuck, that is usually fatal.

Stomatopods can regenerate appendages - except for the eyestalks. They must complete three or so molts to do so.

Roy

 

[psychodave]

Let us know how its doin when you get home, good luck, im keeping my fingers crossed for you

 

[richofoz]

It was definatley something with either it's rapt's or face maybe both...
As bad as it sound i really hope to come home to a one armed mantis!

Thanks again for the facts Dr. Roy. This is the only forum I go to that I can get definitive answers from an expert. I Don't want to sound like a suck, but it's so much more reassuring to have one straight answer than 30 different oppinions!

And thanks for the support Dave. It's really sad to see something that is normally so tough getting stressed out. I will let you know how it goes...

 

[richofoz]

He seems to be fine!! I noticed him poking his head out so I offered him a tiny little piece of fish which he pulled of the skewer. He wouldn't come right put of his hole but I guess if he's just moulted he might still be a bit hesitant.
Anyway, just an update for Psychodave and anyone else who might have checked in.

Rich.

 

[helipilot]

ALRIGHT!!!!!!!!!! That is great news.

 

[justinl]

glad to hear he pulled through alright