Mantis hitchhiker

[MTBake]

I've been suspicious of either a pistol shrimp or mantis shrimp in my 10 gallon. Heard the occasional clicking noise from time to time for the past 6 months or so.

I finally saw the little guy today. It's definately a mantis shrimp. I've tried getting a decent pic of it but haven't been successful, yet. It's about an inch long and came in on a batch of live rock from Gulfliverock.com. It appears to be a smasher variety and is mostly green in color.

I've been researching species to try to id it but I'm having a hard time. It's just so small and I've only seen the entire thing for maybe 2 seconds.

Anyway, I'm pretty excited about this find. I've always wanted a mantis. And it worked out perfectly as it's in my spare tank and not in my display. I'll definately post up pics once I get a decent one.

Any general care tips or good reading on them?

 

[Retro Reefer]

Nice!! get that picture and share it with the community

 

[MTBake]

Here's the best I got so far with my phone. He is in a tank with dim lighting. I'm setting up my camera in front of the tank. Hoping I can walk by and get a better one.

It's peeking out of its hole. It's only his face and not a good pic at all.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Cool .. not a bad picture considering

 

[reef lover]

Score !! Add some small cuc for him to hunt. You can also feed him shrimp krill and the such with tongs or a skewer .

 

[MTBake]

Planning on getting some snails and perhaps a couple small hermit crabs for it to hunt tomorrow.

It sure is a cool creature to watch! Can't wait to see it actually hunt, instead of picking up Reef Frenzy scraps.

Still working on a better pic too. Hopefully it'll pose for me soon

 

[MTBake]

This guy is absolutely fascinating! It seems as inquisitive as I am when I look at the tank. Going to pickup a tiny cuc for him to hunt tomorrow after work.

Also looking for a used all in one setup to put my clownfish in that's also in the tank with the mantis. I don't want the clown turning into a snack.

And the quest for a better pic alludes me. Wish I had more time to sit in front of the tank to snap a better one.

 

[MTBake]

Here's an update on my mantis hitchhiker.

It's been about 2 months since I first saw this guy. But it's been in this tank for about 8 months and went through curing of live rock for another 2-3 months before I added it to the tank.

It's becoming more active every day. Some days, it doesn't seem to mind watching it. Other days, it scurrys away once it sees me.

I haven't added much clean up crew to this tank. I throw rogue hermit crabs from my display in with the mantis. But it's only been 3 small hermits in 2 months. It's main diet consists of LRS Reef Frenzy and Rod's Food. It's growing quick and doing well.

Here's a couple pics from a little bit ago. I still don't know the species. Any input there is appreciated.

Sorry about the kinda dirty glass. I'll try to get a pic of his whole body sooner than later.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Some nice shots

 

[MTBake]

Some nice shots

Thanks! It's kinda hard getting decent pics of this guy. He watches my phone like a hawk once I raise it into view. Once in a great while, it'll stick around for a photo op

 

[PatrickMorris]

I used to have one like that, the only time I saw more than your pics is if I laid food right in front of him

 

[MTBake]

I used to have one like that, the only time I saw more than your pics is if I laid food right in front of him

It comes out quite a bit. I just can't get pics of it because it runs from my phone or camera. I was thinking of leaving my camera sitting on the counter in front of the tank so it gets used to it being there.

 

[ashs_exotics]

It comes out quite a bit. I just can't get pics of it because it runs from my phone or camera. I was thinking of leaving my camera sitting on the counter in front of the tank so it gets used to it being there.

Very interested in seeing more pictures if you have any? Love these things!

 

[MTBake]

Got another pic or two of Ralph just now. Not sure if it's a he or she, lol. It really is super green in person. Like an emerald actually. Still active and snags food regularly.

Sorry about the dirty glass, didn't want to scare it off before I could get a pic.

 

[MTBake]

It's actually in the same spot as the first pic from my April post in this thread. It's probably tripled in size since.

 

[ashs_exotics]

Got another pic or two of Ralph just now. Not sure if it's a he or she, lol. It really is super green in person. Like an emerald actually. Still active and snags food regularly.

Sorry about the dirty glass, didn't want to scare it off before I could get a pic.

Honestly you scored and that’s better IMO than any other mantis shrimp you can get out there. Just can’t match that color

 

[Zoaologist]

Sweet looking mantis!

 

[ashs_exotics]

Got another pic or two of Ralph just now. Not sure if it's a he or she, lol. It really is super green in person. Like an emerald actually. Still active and snags food regularly.

Sorry about the dirty glass, didn't want to scare it off before I could get a pic.

Did some digging through UC Berkleys study on Stomatopods, they have a bunch listed on there and I went through looking for the best fits to ID the one you have (because it’s the coolest one I’ve seen or heard of) here’s the two that I thought matched, especially the first one G. falcatus

 

[MTBake]

I'll have to research those more.

I am leaning strongly towards this species to be honest...

n_wennerae

 

[MTBake]

It did come from rock from the gulf coast of Florida as far as I know.