Mantis, right?

[theatrus]

Noticed this thing cruising around my Xenia tonight. Pulled the rock he went into, put it in a bucket of saltwater, got out the turkey baster, used some RO water in a few holes, and out he came.

I assume this is a mantis? If so, this might be the reason my royal gamma went MIA over the weekend (no signs of it anywhere)?

 

[Toirtis]

Yep, thats a Stomatopod alright.

 

[Bearfan]

Sure is a mantis. Nice coloring. Looking at the front limbs, it appears to be a smasher variety (noting the flattened, enlarged ends). So I doubt this is the cause of your royal gramma mystery.

 

[theatrus]

Interesting... Now I just need to figure out some place to donate him to.

Well, thats what I get for going away for the weekend... a missing royal gamma

 

[theatrus]

Hmm, and for some reason it decided to put the same picture up twice for me... odd

 

[Brad]

Yes, definitely mantis...but not necessarily the guilty party in the death of the fish. I have personally seen a smasher-type mantis go after a fish, but he wasn't very successful at killing it.

Good that you got him out, though. They can be troublesome. Get a little 5 gallon and keep him. Mine lives quite happily in a 2.5 gallon with no heater, and only 1 powerhead and a lump of LR. (OK...maybe he's not happy...cause he has no playmates and his accomodation is a bit sparse...)

 

[quarryshark]

I gave mine to my LFS. He put him in a nano on the front counter.

 

[revhtree]

How big is he??

PS. Is it safe to say, if there is no clicking in your tank, you have no mantis??

 

[SYLVERXRS]

If you are willing to part with him I will take him off your hands. I have a tank for just mantis shrimp and would love another. I will pay for shipping where are you from?

 

[Brad]

Well nothing is for sure, Rev....but you usually hear them before you see them.

 

[quarryshark]

Mine was silent. I just happened to see him one day. That along with some smashed snail shells gave me a clue.

 

[theatrus]

Hes about an inch to 1.5 in or so. I'm by Sac, so if you want him, let me know.