So how long will it take for my stomatopod to molt and what is it doing?

Thanks Roy.
I apprieciate being able to get an answer from a professional.
Should I be concerned if the white portions do not clear up?
Also I noticed that air bubbles appeared to be comming from her, not a lot but a bubble or two when she swam and moved around earlier.
 
I don't know what would cause the bubbles unless she swam to the surface and trapped bubbles inside the old cuticle. If the old cuticle was not completely shed, she is in trouble and there is little you can do. Sometimes they can remove the cuticle; sometimes they lose their raptorial appendages and have to regenerate them.

However, I want to stress that we don't know what the problem is. I am only guessing without seeing her.

Roy
 
Before I take a picture of her, is there anything I should know before I start snapping shots? For example, can the flash from the camera damage her vision or scare her? How far should I be from the burrow entrance, or does it even matter? Once I get information on this I'll be able to upload some pics.
 
Ok, I got a few pics. Sorry about the quality but she does'nt run out that much now, just stays in her cave so the angles are constant.

mantisraps002.jpg


mantisraps003.jpg


mantisraps001-1.jpg


IMG]http://i491.photobucket.com/albums/rr277/Koshmar_photos/mantisraps001.jpg[/IMG]
 
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I guess I'll create a brand new thread soon to Id this little guy or gal, (I can't even be sure of the sex anymore). I guess my lfs mislabbled it "red peacock mantis shrimp." The important part is that I got a pic of the white/clear portion of the raptorial appendages. That is what I have a question over, is it indicative of a molt or something else?

On a seperate note, is molting linked in any way to the lunar phases? After a M.S. molts, if it strikes a hard bodied creature, does it interfere with the harding process of the new exoskeleton?
 
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Well, we know it is a gonodactylid.

Most stomatopods molt in relation to a lunar cycle. Some molt on the full moon, others on the new moon. It depends on the local tidal cycle as well as the depth at which the animal lives. How this is controlled is a bit of a mystery, but animals in my lab often seem to molt synchronously and I suspect that it is related to lunar illumination (the lab has lots of windows). We know that the synchrony last for a few months even when the animals are held in rooms without windows, but we see synchrony in animals that have been in the lab for years. That would seem to be too long to remain synchrony without an external cue.

Stomatopods usually do not strike when molting since the appendage cannot function until the cuticle hardens. If you induce striking prematurely, the appendage can literally tear itself apart.

Roy
 
Does artificial light have any impact on the molting cycle? If the duration of the lighting is changed often will the molting process be affected?

On a seperate note, I have been told that if a M.S. strikes with its raptorial appendage while out of water the said appendage will rip clean off and fly off of the animal. Is there any truth to this? I know that the density of water and air are vastly different but I find it hard to believe that the M.S. could "shoot" its arm clean off if it struck in the air at something.
 
So all things considered how long should I expect my little buudy to live.

I may have missed the info, sorry if I'm asking an already answered
question. What is the average life expectancy of a peacock (Odontodactlis
ylus scyllarus) Mine lives in a 120gal tank with about a 6" sanbed and the rockwork was placed to provide him an optimum enviornment for climbing as well as over head protection. He is fed selcon soaked shrimp as well as hermit crabs and many different types of snails so he can eat a natural diet and also keep his bashing appendages strong in working order
 
The quick answer is no one knows. THere have been no demographic studies done on this species. From experience in the lab, I don't think they are that long-lived. My guess would be 6-8 years, but I would like to hear from anyone who has kept one longer.

Roy
 
Wow, that was the fastest response in RC history possibly. First off thank you Dr.Roy for your dedication to stomatopods and helping those of us who are fascinated by these wonderful creatures. I am an audio engineer, I provide sound reinforcement for the Louisville Orchestra as well as many well known musicians. I am very passionate about audio and I can honestly say that I love my job, as I can tell how passionate you are about your work, I guess what I'm saying is for all of us who you educate and mentor for no financial benefit or rewards except helping hobbyists and for that you should receive the Reef Central Nobel Prize if there was such a thing. My O.S. Is either in the process of molting or he has passed on to wherever it is that Stomatopods go (other than the bellies of nassarius snails, and serpent starfish)when they die. He was at least 6" long when I got him approx 2 years ago so if he doesn't appear from his burrow soon I guess ill have to make funeral arrangements for his departure. Thanks again for your very rapid response. Your friend and admirer, Reefologist
 
+1 Reefologist. Excellent post. My O.S. is close to 4" long, and I believe just completed a molt. I have no evidence of this however, except that I saw him twirling a rapt in his mouth last night, which scared me (see my post) only to find that after this was done he came out of his burrow and both rapts were intact. I was at work for 13 hours yesterday, so much could have happened. Could he have eaten his molt in that time period after molting? It was somewhat dark, only blue moonlights, but I couldnt find the rapt molt after he came out, so he could have left it in his burrow. He appears healthy and hopefully he will be a little more active now.
 
great post! Thanks for the info. I have a 10" or so peacock mantis He has molted about 4 times since I had him (a little under a year!) He is very active, eats well etc.

However the last 2 molts were very hard on him. The first one took over a week for him to completely molt. I would see him swim out one day wiht a piece of old shell, then a couple days later his swimmettes, then a couple days later another piece. His tank is in my office so I saw more of him.

I turn off his lights when he molts to reduce his stress. I even turn off the other tank lights during the time.

On his last molt I thought for sure he was going to die! I come in and he is on his back in the middle of the tank kicking and kicking his swimmettes. He usually closes himself in his den for days when he molts. I turn off his lights and leave him be. He remained on his back out in the open for the remainder of the night. The next day he went back to his den and molted for many many days...2 weeks in fact. He would throw pieces of his shell out of the den during that time.

I guess my question is.....will his molts continue to get harder on him? I have no idea how old he is but like I said he is a good 10". I fret over his molts and i fear he will die in the next one.

He eats very well. He loves krill, silversides, squid not so much, whole raw shrimp, etc. I give him a couple large turbo snails to graze on at least a couple times a month. I soak all his food in Selcon or GVH. Any ideas?
 
First, let me say that the largest O. scyllarus ever recorded was 175 mm, right at 7 inches. Anything larger than 6 inches is very large for this species and most have trouble molting.

The fact that pieces were thrown out in stages does not mean that he was molting over a long period. Animals often bury their molt skin and then gradually dig it up - sometimes eating the softer parts.

As I've said before, most stomatopods in captivity die during a molt and the older the animal, the more likely it will happen. Such is life (and death) for a stomatopod.

Roy
 
thanks for the response! the actual size was an estimate...sounds like I was way OVER :mixed: He is larger then all that I have seen before but I am sure he is not THE largest.

I unfortunatly am prepared that he will eventually die...but hoping he will not! Glad to hear that he probably buried his molt! Makes sense:eek1:
 
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