Unsure of molt status??

[jpalmer]

I purchased my first mantis, a G. Smithii, about 3 weeks ago and the previous owner told me that he was due for a molt. During his second week he started "closing up shop" before I got home so I wasnt sure if he had started his molt....then last Saturday(03/01) he opened up about 1pm and was roming around. I fed him a small piece of shrimp, which he was reluctant to take at first and after his lunch I performed a 20% water change knowing that I would be able to do another one this weekend because he would probably be molting! He stayed out until about 6pm that night and closed up. I'm assuming he started his molt on the 2nd of this month, last Sunday.

Here are my questions:

1.Tues through Thurs. there were bubbles that were frequently coming from his rock, is this a common sign of somthing occuring (good/bad) that anyone has noticed before?

2. The owner told me he normally takes around 10 days to molt, is this a common length of time? It has been 8 days currently

3. Was doing a fairly large water change directly before his molt a bad move??

4. When should I "blow the door down" and check for survivors?

Thanks for any help!!

 

[Gonodactylus]

The actual molting (ecdysis) of a stomatopod typically takes only a few minutes - the time it takes to shed the old exocuticle. However, the process is cyclic and the behavioral components that occur prior to, during and after the molt are what you are referring to. Typically, a gonodactyloid will start to modify its cavity and show increased aggression a few days prior to ecdysis. This varies with the size of the individual and the species. I hate to generalize, but in 2 inch animal, it occurs two or three days prior to ecdysis, in a 4 inch stomatopod a week or so before. Burrowers such as Odontodactylus may show increased construction even earlier. A day or two later the mantis shrimp stops feeding and then seals itself in its cavity (if it has the right kind of burrow or cavity and the materials to do so). Species such as Gonodactylus platysoma and G. chiragra that inhabit shallow reef flats seem to start a bit earlier. While sealed up, the animal will molt and may eat soft parts of the molt skin. When it can strike again and has hardened (calcified) its new cuticle, it will open its burrow or cavity and start feeding. Again, the amount of time until opening depends on size and species. Reef flat species that live in harsh environments are slow - up to 10 days or so. Burrowers such as Odontodactylus scyllarus or O. havanensis may open in 2-5 days - depending on size.

Roy

 

[helipilot]

My 3" smithii, just opened up after a 16 day molt. That is about average for her, 14-16 days to molt. As for your questions, I have no idea what your bubbles could be coming from unless the set up is new. I don't think doing a water change "before" a molt would hurt. I refrain from anything but top off during the molt. As far as busting down the door????????I think I would do water tests for ammonia, there should be a small spike if it is eating it's molt and I would think a huge spike if it died. Good luck

 

[jpalmer]

Well today will be day 10...still no sign of "Yoda"!! I did however test all of my water params....everything was perfect except for pH, a little high @ 8.4, and there was a small spike in ammonia (around .25)..everything seems ok so I guess I will have to keep waiting! I'm glad to hear that another 3" took 16 days though, that keeps me positive!!

 

[helipilot]

Hang in there, I don't think I would panic for at least another week. Patience, patience, someone told me.

 

[jpalmer]

Well, I came home Friday night and noticed "yoda's" hole had a completely different rock plugging the hole!! My wife completely didnt believe me, but I 've stared at his rock for two weeks now, and was positive it was a different rock....so anyway. I was expecting him to come out Saturday but to no avail!!!!
Today between 11:00 and 12:30 ( I was at the gym) Yoda now has placed a different plug rock in his hole, and when I looked, I noticed him placing some smaller pieces in the gaps and pointed it out to my wife!

So now we are 100% sure he is still alive, but why would he continue to change out plugs if he is not finishied molting? I would assume that he would not risk banging a plug into place if his clubbers had not hardened yet, correct?

He needs to hurry up so I can feed him and take some snap shots!!!haha

 

[jpalmer]

This is now turning into a running log of my crazy mantis!!

Well, yesterday (Monday) I came home from work early and around 12pm I walked by the tank and noticed something a little different.....there were 2 eyes staring back @ me!!! Finally, so I immediately grabbed some shrimp and fed him. He took the food immediately, which was awesome, but here is my issue.....he closed his hole within the hour and I am unsure if he even came out today!!

Do I have a mantis who enjoys being closed entirely too often, or could he still feel vulnurable after his molt and be waiting to come out?? To be a little more specific: Is it normal for a mantis to only come out for an hour or two per day?? He was remaining "open for business" for at least 7hrs/day before he started his molt!