Mantis Shrimp ID

JGT

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Saw a mantis the other day in my tank after I added a bunch of live rock. Looked fairly small, so wasn’t concerned and figured I’d set a trap at some point to catch him.
Today I was moving the rocks around and I see something in a crevice that I can’t make out. So continue moving the rocks and then I see it move. After closer inspection,I realize it’s the mantis. It’s basically curled up in a crevice with it’s tail sticking up. I had my coral grabbers around so I figured, while a long shot let me try and grab him. So I slowly reach in and get the grabbers near him and gently close it down on him and I was able to get him. Slowly raise him up and out and into a container. What are the odds?
Anyway, he’s small, maybe an inch and half long but wanted to see what type he was and how big he’ll get and how dangerous to reef inhabitants he might be. Pics attached.

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Hadla

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JGT

JGT

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Here’s some more pics. Hard to get from front but these are closer up. BTW, he came from KP live rock which is FL based if that helps to ID him.
Thought about sumping him but prob won’t appreciate him enough so would consider shipping him to someone who can appreciate him.
 

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JGT

JGT

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Which basically means he’ll club things to death vs. Skewering them right?
The childi range seems to be in the Caribbean though, French Polynesian, Marshall Islands. This guy’s a local from FL. Not sure, they all look similar.
 

Hadla

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Such a cute mantis! I have honestly never thought of any mantises being a childi before... And I was going to ask where the rock was from! Thanks for the info!

omg I love that last pic!!! “You lookin at me?”
 
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Hadla

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Edit: facepalm I need to learn to read thoroughly XD

And it sucks cause there’s no mention of meral spot color of the childi... that would help the most
 

Brady4000

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Such a cute mantis! I have honestly never thought of any mantises being a childi before... And I was going to ask where the rock was from! Thanks for the info!

omg I love that last pic!!! “You lookin at me?”


Which basically means he’ll club things to death vs. Skewering them right?
Goes after crustaceans, oysters, hermits, clams etc., can kill a fish but not really it’s “thing”. Spearing mantis kill mainly fish. All are scavengers, and will eat any meaty thing you drop in the tank. Some even eat pellets.


The childi range seems to be in the Caribbean though, French Polynesian, Marshall Islands. This guy’s a local from FL. Not sure, they all look similar.
The “ speckled“ spots through it entire body with the stripes make it look like it. But not the same color obviously. There is definitely more out there then is listed on the internet. But it’s the closest thing I can think of. Also the Childi is also a smasher.
 

Hadla

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Yeah the tiny mantises are why I now have a macro lens kit for my phone! Even then it’s hard to get a good pic sometimes...

Oh I wanted to tell you! I love your just wanted a mantis shrimp line! XD if I could change mine, it’d be: I came for the puffers and stayed for the mantises!
 

Brady4000

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Also forgot to add, if you do keep it, even though it can live off, raw shrimp and would probably be extremely excited every time you drop it in the tank to eat lol. You want to give it something to smash at least every two weeks, or it will loss its hammers. Also give it somewhere to hide like a PVC pipe, smasher live in holes and rocks. They usually don’t need a deep sand bed.
 

Hadla

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Yeah they learn what the feeding tongs are and will usually swim up to them expecting food! I still trick my peacock sometimes XD
 

Hadla

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Sadly I’m down to just my peacock now... I’m kicking myself for either killing or losing track of the tiny smithii I posted about a few months ago... it was in a 2.5 bow front then moved the sand and rocks to critter keepers so I could find him more easily. Didn’t see any bodies but maybe I’ll hear clicking one day and know it’s him in the ten gallon I put his rocks in... if the bigger hermits don’t find him first

this is why I’m dying to get one shipped to me from someone who doesn’t want it
 

Hadla

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SO SORRY FOR HIJACKING YOUR THREAD JGT!!!

Ha! Can’t wait to go back to Disneyland again once I get in better shape and the mask thing is no longer required!

yeah the stores I go to often around here are good with getting different ones in though! Recently it’s just overpriced peacocks $60-$120! I got my girl for just $35 from $70 cause she wasn’t eating anything but an occasional live goldfish :confused: of course it was cause she wasn’t comfortable without somewhere to constantly hide!;Woot
 

Brady4000

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Also forgot to add. The owner Vince, doesn’t keep them in stock. He takes a drive to his supplier every Wednesday. In fact he doesn’t even like them lol. So you have to pre order it and pick it up day of.
 
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