Reef Discussion

[newbiereef]

nearly messed my self was swapping bio balls out of sump for some live rock la de lade da fishing away not a care in the world then some thing big moved and i mean big for my sump. have a almost black manits shrimp about 1.5" long will up load a piccy tommorow so some one can hopefully ID him for me think he might end up a sump dweller not sure if i trust the critter in the tanks with my fish

 

[MagicJ]

I would not be putting it in the tank - a picture would be great.

 

[MTG]

Pics would be excellent

 

[Agent M]

They are very interesting, the first time I saw one I was struck by how they can make eye contact with you - its very strange!

 

[newbiereef]

yeah he is soooo cool is now inhabating my sump in with bio balls live rock coral rubble etc hope to attach a piccy soon

 

[newbiereef]

not the best piccy lil bugger would not sit still but u can sorta see the critter

 

[VaultBoy]

great find I really want to keep a pair of these!

 

[MagicJ]

dr_schell would be interested in this;)

 

[MTG]

what are you planing to do with it?

 

[newbiereef]

back in sump he seemed happy in there was looking well fed and keeping it clean (i hope)

 

[Synodontis]

Glad your going to keep him. We have one in the sump, makes good hunting, catch & release program lol :)

 

[newbiereef]

yeah was gonna try and trade him but he is to cool

 

[Dr. Schell]

I will be happy to ID it for you. see if you can get a pic of the 2 coloured spots on the top of the front smashing arms (ie the menial spots). This is how you distinguish the different species. Good to see that you didn't kill the little tacker. I am sure that there are many people on this forum that will be willing to give him/her a home if you feel the need to get rid of it. The "smashers" which is what you are likely to have are generally well manered and feed primarily on crabs and othere CUC members. Fish are generally not the preferred prey.

 

[Dr. Schell]

Mantis shrimp are very cool and they have the fastest "prey strike" in the animal kingdom. In addition, the "smashes" hit with such force that cavitation (ie the formation and then immediate implosion of cavities in a liquid) helps to stun/kill their prey. Pretty damn cool for such a small critter. In time, these animals become very interactive and will "beg for food". Each has its own personality and they make fantastic pets when treated with respect.

 

[Dr. Schell]

not the best piccy lil bugger would not sit still but u can sorta see the critter
View attachment 1166

This is one of the Gonodactylus species. Given the colouration it looks to be either G. falcatus (which will have yellow menial spots) of G. graphius (which will have orange menial spots). If the spots are dark blue with a white outline, then it is G. smithii. Enjoy, these are great animals and very forgiving when it comes to water quality.

 

[newbiereef]

G. graphius (which will have orange menial spots
that what he bee will he love my sump bit worried about putting him in tank have some expensive fish and corals and worried he might eat them.

 

[Dr. Schell]

will be very happy in your sump. I have a breeding pair set up in a tank that is approx 20L. They don't need a lot of room as long as they have shelters (rocks with holes in them) in which to live.