Tiny Mantis ID
- Thread starter prozz
- Start date
gemini aquarius(t)
Always Learning
N. Wennerae
gemini aquarius(t)
Always Learning
no problem are you going to keep him in a seperate tank or just in the reef>?
Gonodactylus
Premium Member
Perhaps, but there are a few characters that don't add up. Where is your rock from. There are several small species in the Indo-Pacific that have the bredini type telson - which is what I assume the other responders were going by. If the rock is eastern Atlantic, then there are only two possibilities.
Roy
Roy
The tank was set up about 2 years ago in preparation of eventually tracking down an A. Latez pair. The rock I put in at that time was a mixture of rock from my other tanks and some obtained from a lfs. The rock itself should be a mix of Fiji and Tongan but it has been exposed to a lot of frags and colonies from both the Caribbean and Pacific regions. I am also getting old and forgetful so who knows…
Nothing has been added to the tank the little guy came out of since it was setup 2 years ago. I suppose then it is a smaller species or mom and dad are around somewhere.
Nothing has been added to the tank the little guy came out of since it was setup 2 years ago. I suppose then it is a smaller species or mom and dad are around somewhere.
Justin: wide banded clownfish
Everyone else: I managed to get a better picture of the telson and uropod. The telson appears to be 2 distinct plates, one overlapping the other. I could see it through the lens but it is very difficult to catch on camera. He does have a white meral spot but then again all three of you guys probably already had that figured out. Hopefully this new image and information will help.
Everyone else: I managed to get a better picture of the telson and uropod. The telson appears to be 2 distinct plates, one overlapping the other. I could see it through the lens but it is very difficult to catch on camera. He does have a white meral spot but then again all three of you guys probably already had that figured out. Hopefully this new image and information will help.
Gonodactylus
Premium Member
This species occurs from Japan to northeastern Australia. I am not aware of any records from Fiji or Tonga, but it is tiny (max length 19 mm with most adults in the 12-15 mm size range. They live in small tubes and cavities in rock and almost never come out, so they are easy to miss. They seem to be long-lived. I have several that I collected in Australia three years ago and they are still the same size. They typically come in two colors, green or black.
I have never seen T. spinosocarinatus reported for sale or as hitch-hikes, but I guess now I will have to add them to Roy's List.
Roy
I have never seen T. spinosocarinatus reported for sale or as hitch-hikes, but I guess now I will have to add them to Roy's List.
Roy
gemini aquarius(t)
Always Learning
that is a TINY mantis
i do hope he has a burrow!
i do hope he has a burrow!
Gonodactylus
Premium Member
I keep mine in 2 inch lengths of 1/4" square plastic tubing - the kind used in model construction. It sits on the bottom and doesn't role around.
Roy
Roy
gemini aquarius(t)
Always Learning
Roy, how big is yours? have pics of set up? also if you have a wennerae with pics that would be cool too thanks
He has a rock I drilled several holes into that he is hiding out in as well as a variety of small shells and rubble. Smaller then crushed coral pieces seem to be all he can handle right now.
Unfortunately I had to order him some sand due to the fact no store with in a 2 hour drive of me carries black sand. He would be virtually impossible for me to see in any other substrate. The pico is plumbed into a larger system so water quality/chemistry should be no problem at all.
He hides out in the rock and every once in a while runs out and explores. He did manage to brutally beat a mysis shrimp I dumped in from my refugium on one of these excursions.
It is virtually impossible for me to get a good close up shot of him. I can only describe the photography as action macro shots. It took around 300 shots to get the 2 I posted in the shot glass.
Roy: That’s a very good idea, I think I’ll do the same. On a side note what do you feed yours?
Unfortunately I had to order him some sand due to the fact no store with in a 2 hour drive of me carries black sand. He would be virtually impossible for me to see in any other substrate. The pico is plumbed into a larger system so water quality/chemistry should be no problem at all.
He hides out in the rock and every once in a while runs out and explores. He did manage to brutally beat a mysis shrimp I dumped in from my refugium on one of these excursions.
It is virtually impossible for me to get a good close up shot of him. I can only describe the photography as action macro shots. It took around 300 shots to get the 2 I posted in the shot glass.
Roy: That’s a very good idea, I think I’ll do the same. On a side note what do you feed yours?
