Zebra mantis

[Dave12678]

Hey guys I saw one at the LFS the other day and couldn't figure out if hes a smacher or spear. I couldn't get a pic of him but hes black and white on in stripes. Any ideas?

thanks
Dave

 

[urbanthreatz]

Yeah, i have one, it is L. Maculata i believe, great shrimp with a lot of personality. He is a spearer and the largest of all the spearers. You can expect him to get about 12 inches long when full grown. They need a very deep substrate because they're in their burrows for most of the day, but when mine comes out to cruise around the tank, it's pretty entertaining.

 

[Gonodactylus]

Maximum size for Lysiosquillina maculata is 15 inches, but there are many species of Lysiosquillids that it could be. Most common from the Indo-Pacific would be L. maculata, L. tredecimdentata, and L. sulcata. From the Altantic it would be L.glabriuscula and L. scabricauda. I have also seen a few L. lisa from Bali, but they are red and white striped. L. maculata is almost always yellow and black striped.

All of the Lysiosquillids that we know about are monogamous and live as pairs. They almost never leave their burrows, so if yours is out and about, it is probably because it is desperate for mate.

These animals are extremely slow growing as adults and may actual shrink in the aquarium. They live for years - at least 20.

Roy

 

[Dave12678]

I only have a 10g right now with 2 1/2-3 inches of sand. I am guessing he will get to big for the 10g any ideas for a spearer in a 10g? And some sites to find them I am googling with 0 luck

 

[urbanthreatz]

I have a C. Dubia in a 10Gal as well, he's doing great (Thanks Dr. Roy) he eats very well, and just finished his first molt 2 days ago.