Mantis shrimp?

ed99 · #1 01-14-2007, 10:58 PM

Folks,

I found this guy with my live rock. Fortunately he was strutting around on a rock at the top of my tank when I noticed him and I was able to get him in the sump. I think it is a mantis. Can anybody confirm and id? I'm guessing maybe a G. Smithii but I have no real idea. My pictures are not great. He is green with yellow spots with kind of a black outline to the spots

i have crabs · #2 01-14-2007, 11:02 PM

nice find.are you keeping him or his he looking for a new home?

Moogled · #3 01-14-2007, 11:13 PM

Heh, at least give the guy a chance to get some answers before you start asking if he's gonna keep it or give/sell to someone else.

G1GY · #4 01-14-2007, 11:18 PM

Yes it is a mantis and you're lucky that you caught it so easy.

There seems to be a huge demand for thes little guy's right now, so if you decide to get rid of it I'll bet someone will trade you something neat for it.

TNTCanada · #5 01-14-2007, 11:42 PM

Yes... Mantis he is... love them.. cool little critters to watch.

Cheers
Tyler

i have crabs · #6 01-14-2007, 11:57 PM

calm down pal, i dont want it anyway,thier just cool pets and mabey ed99 should consider keeping it

ed99 · #7 01-15-2007, 12:04 AM

Thanks guys. I'm pretty sure Moogled was joking there, but I think i will offer him up for trade. They are pretty cool but I don't have anywhere for him except my sump.

justinl · #8 01-15-2007, 01:55 AM

Im 90% sure that the lil guy you found is a Gonodactylellus viridis (aka green mantis). Try to get a picture of his front arm appendages; they have a spot on them that helps in identification. Where the live rock is from helps too.

here's more on him...
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthrop...name=g_viridis

Moogled · #9 01-15-2007, 02:05 AM

Yeah, I was joking. I'll "calm down" just for you though, so you can stop projecting on me.

In anycase, you can keep the little guy in the sump for now. They have alot of personality, but if you do keep him in the sump, make sure to provide a piece of small LR.

In terms of monetary value, these bad boys are worth around $20-$30.

ed99 · #10 01-15-2007, 04:41 AM

Thanks justinl/Moogled. I had cruised the Berkeley site but gave up before I went through all the types. Looks like G. Viridis to me as well, though I will try to have another look at the appendages. I didn't know what these guys were worth- hopefully I can get a good frag or a fish for him. I've got a chunk of LR and the PVC in there so he should be good until I can find him a home.