Specific info?

[dc]

Where can I find specifics on my Neogondactylus Oerstedii? I've been to the Lurkers Guide, and searched the net, but can't seem to find. I'm looking for max size, life span, things like that.

 

[Kara]

I'll add my request to yours as well! I haven't been able to find out any specific info on them either.

 

[dc]

Well here's a couple pics I've actually gotten. The lens wants to focus on the scratches on the glass.

 

[Gonodactylus]

Neogonodactylus oerstedii occur throughout the Caribbean (although not in Bermuda). Maximum size is around 6-7 cm and they live 5 or 6 years. They occur from the low intertidal down to about 10 m although they are most common from the mean low water line to 5 m. Large females will often move into cavities in the lower intertidal to brood their eggs. This species does exhibit mate-guarding with the male and female living together for about a week before the female lays her eggs and the male leaves. She broods the eggs for three weeks when they hatch and then she stays with the larvae for another week. They then enter the plankton where they live for 1-2 months. Postlarvae (which are transparent) settle out when they are around 8 mm long.

This is a very color-polymorphic species. They usually match the background - sand colored, green, etc. One oddity about this species is that all females -even females that are a solid emerald green- are covered with small back spots. Males do not have them. ALso, big males usually have intensely purple meral spots. In females, they are somewhat more greyish purple.

Roy

 

[dc]

Cool, thank you. I'll assume it's a male until I can check out the back for spots. The Merel spots are quite dark, and it still has some room to grow. Such a cool creature, I'm thrilled with the possible life span.

 

[dc]

Nope he's just mottled, but I think Kara will need to change Roy's name.

 

[rhiggsbear]

Is a Neogondactylus Oerstedii a spearer or a smasher?

 

[dc]

They're smashers.

 

[Kara]

Roy does have white speckles. Even if Roy is a girl, I'll still call her Roy.

I've had Roy for a month now and she/he hasn't shed. Should I be concerned or not? I'm really anxious for Roy to shed because only then will she/he have the missing apendage back.

I'm glad they live for quite a while. Both my fiance and I are quite attached to Roy.. don't tell my cats but I think she/he's our favorite pet now!

 

[Kara]

Is there a certain amount of time it takes them to reach adult size or is it dependant upon food and environment? Roy is about 6cm in length was hoping there was a way to tell the age of the mantis by its length.

 

[Gonodactylus]

Stomatopods have indeterminant growth. They grow at each molt their entire life. In cavity livers like Neogonodactylus, the frequency of molting and the amount of growth at each molt decreases as they get larger, but it also depends on food, reproduction, and even space.

To completely regenerate a raptorial appendage will take three molts. Usually if an animal loses both appendages, it will accelerate the molt cycle. If it has lost only one, it does not.

Roy

 

[dc]

Well I've had mine since Sept. I've only noticed him molting twice in that time. I think he's a little bit smaller than yours.

 

[Kara]

So, Dr. Caldwell, is Roy a girl? (see pic above) I do believe the speckles you were talking about are present.

 

[Gonodactylus]

The speckles are always black that identify females. Both males and females can have white ones.

Roy

 

[Kara]

YAY! I have a boy mantis. I so didn't want to give him a complex by suddenly calling him a HER!