what kind of mantis is this?

[pontiac]

I posted this pic a few months ago, but I did it on the wrong board, and was wondering if this is a (gonodaotylaceus graphurus) I hope I spelled that right and is he the reason I have no more shrimp or emerald crabs? I have only seen him one time, long enough to get a bad cell phone pic and then he vanished.

[suppressivefire]

possible a N. wennerae

[pontiac]

So, It is a safe guess to say he will kill shrimp and crabs?

[suppressivefire]

most likely depending on his size and if he is a N. wennerae hes a smasher.

[abrahamcho]

IT IS A N. wennerae, it is common among hitchhikers. It will kill crabs and shrimps... it depends on personality though.

[gholland]

I don't think that photo is sufficient to make an ID. There are a variety of "green mantis shrimp" out there.

How big is it? Where is your live rock from? What color are the meral spots on the inside of the smashing arms?

[suppressivefire]

Originally posted by abrahamcho
IT IS A N. wennerae, it is common among hitchhikers. It will kill crabs and shrimps... it depends on personality though.

what Gholland said.

[pontiac]

I is about two inches long and I do not know what color the meral spots are, I only seen it for about 20 sec, whick was long enough to get a cell phone pic. The rock is all tonga.

[gholland]

You might try trapping it so you can get a better look.

[Gangsta Nemo]

Did you get your rock from a LFS? .. If so then there is a chance that it is a mantis that jumped ship. I have seen many a mantis jump from his home back in to a supplier rock tank "When his home was being removed. You could have got him from Tonga but he could have hitchhiked from Bali depending on the curing vat. If the rock is from Tonga specific.. then it is not a Wennerae.
I agree that the Wennerae card is a hand delt a little too often.
Looking at the pic it is very small considering the trim size on the tank.

[gholland]

I have seen many a mantis jump from his home back in to a supplier rock tank "When his home was being removed. You could have got him from Tonga but he could have hitchhiked from Bali depending on the curing vat.

Good point! Going to have to depend on physical characterists then. Catch that critter!
Greg

[pontiac]

I'm gona see if i can catch him, if I am succesful would there be any takers?

[ck1]

If there is no one local that is interested- I would pay for shipping. I can probably get it shipped FedEx on my friends account for pretty cheap.

It is so darn cute! I am so envious when I see people post pics of liverock hitchhikers and the mantis are little "mini me's"- compared to most mantis I see for sale.

What would you approx size at? I am interested either way.

thanks-
Julie

[icy1155]

Where in MD are you? Im in Dover, DE and I have been looking for a small guy like that. Let me know.

[pontiac]

I would say size would be around two and a half in or so, no luck catching him yet, I'm gona start moving rock again tommorow and see if i can find what rock he is in now. If i can get him i'll post a pic and whoever wants him can have him, just pay shipping, I am located near ocean city md.

[pontiac]

Well, i've tried using one of those exterminater traps but have had no luck, its set to super sensitive and i have baited it with clam,bloodworms, and shrimp and no luck. Is there any other bait that might work? Or should i keep doing the same and just give it more time? Or should i rearrange all my rock again and see if he comes out like he did last time? What do you guys think?

[icy1155]

Have you tried to use the bottle method? Ive heard it is more effective at chatching them than the exterminator traps...