How fast do neogonodactylus wennerae grow?

[Generator]

(Posted in another Forum, Reef Wizard kindly guided me here) I have a few mantis shrimp (neogonodactylus wennerae) that came in my live rock. There is a red/purple which has gotten quite large and is about 2.5 inches, from about an inch. I have a green one that's about 1.5 inches. Either it turned green from red after a molt or it's yet another because I initially had 3, red and red/purple. The third one I've not seen lately so I don't know if it's being elusive or if it got eaten. I spotted last night a tiny orange one about 3/4 inch. I'm wondering if someone had eggs or if it might have come in the rocks too small to see. The tank has been running for 4 months. Would it have grown more in that time if it arrived on the rocks or is someone having kids. From the growth of my other two, I'd think it would be bigger by now, but I don't know if maybe they grow slower when they are tiny vs bigger? They get plenty to eat and so far, they have been model citizens with my fish, crabs, other shrimp and cleanup crew so I've not tried to trap them. I was however hoping they would age out so, while I'd be thrilled that my tank is supporting fresh hatch, it's not exactly what I'd planned. Any ideas?

 

[vetteguy53081]

(Posted in another Forum, Reef Wizard kindly guided me here) I have a few mantis shrimp (neogonodactylus wennerae) that came in my live rock. There is a red/purple which has gotten quite large and is about 2.5 inches, from about an inch. I have a green one that's about 1.5 inches. Either it turned green from red after a molt or it's yet another because I initially had 3, red and red/purple. The third one I've not seen lately so I don't know if it's being elusive or if it got eaten. I spotted last night a tiny orange one about 3/4 inch. I'm wondering if someone had eggs or if it might have come in the rocks too small to see. The tank has been running for 4 months. Would it have grown more in that time if it arrived on the rocks or is someone having kids. From the growth of my other two, I'd think it would be bigger by now, but I don't know if maybe they grow slower when they are tiny vs bigger? They get plenty to eat and so far, they have been model citizens with my fish, crabs, other shrimp and cleanup crew so I've not tried to trap them. I was however hoping they would age out so, while I'd be thrilled that my tank is supporting fresh hatch, it's not exactly what I'd planned. Any ideas?

They grow based on space, diet and moltings which are associated with growth. You been quite lucky with it not going after inverts as they are a food source, at least in time will likely be

 

[Generator]

They grow based on space, diet and moltings which are associated with growth. You been quite lucky with it not going after inverts as they are a food source, at least in time will likely be

Yes, I figured that I've been lucky. Kinda why I was wondering if the little buggers have actually been reproducing or if the smallest one I have is just growing very slow. They are in a 60 gallon tank with about 45 lbs of live rock and 25 lbs of live sand. I feed ground up shrimp, and some premade frozen meaty foods, zooplankton and freeze dried cyclops for coral and whatever else might eat it. I also throw in the occasion pellet around where they are living. They will all wander out and grab food from long tweezers.

 

[Fish Fan]

I have kept an N. wennerae mantis in its own 10 gallon. My guy unfortunately died when an ATO malfunctioned and flooded my tank with freshwater when I was out of town (which is when it always happens). I'm actually looking to get another of these Mantids.

As Vetteguy mentioned, they will grow with space and food, and can and will go after other inverts in the tank, it's just a matter of time.

As far as their color, yes, they come in both a red and a green, and can and will change color when they molt. I forget exactly how it works, but it has something to do with your lighting. In the wild, one of the two colors is found at greater depths than the other color. In your home aquaria, your lighting will influence their color. As they molt, they can change. Mine came to me from Tampa Bay Saltwater as a green guy, but quickly became a red Mantis in my tank.

@Stomatopods17 may have more to offer here.

Good luck!

 

[Stomatopods17]

exact conditions for coloration are still a mystery.

The consensus atm is its more based on the depth the animal lived at, as most if not all N. wennerae just seem to turn a shade of green in captivity even when attempting to influence a certain color.

Captive bred and raised is highly unlikely and something achieved once or twice out of thousands of attempts in labs. They have a free floating larval stage like a lot of crustaceans, while being cannibalistic in that stage.

 

[Generator]

I kinda had the impression it would be unlikely to have any shrimp larvae survive in a tank with everything else in there that will eat them. I wanted to make sure since this new one is soo little.

 

[Fish Fan]

exact conditions for coloration are still a mystery.

The consensus atm is its more based on the depth the animal lived at, as most if not all N. wennerae just seem to turn a shade of green in captivity even when attempting to influence a certain color.

Captive bred and raised is highly unlikely and something achieved once or twice out of thousands of attempts in labs. They have a free floating larval stage like a lot of crustaceans, while being cannibalistic in that stage.

Thank you for your help and reply here. I just want to report that my N. wennerae Mantis came to me from Tampa Bay Saltwater a vibrant, almost neon green. In just a few months or molts, it was a solid dark redish variety, and not nearly as brightly colored. This was in a 10 gallon AIO with a Kessil A160WE, and just my experience.

 

[Generator]

Thank you for your help and reply here. I just want to report that my N. wennerae Mantis came to me from Tampa Bay Saltwater a vibrant, almost neon green. In just a few months or molts, it was a solid dark redish variety, and not nearly as brightly colored. This was in a 10 gallon AIO with a Kessil A160WE, and just my experience.

Funny. My largest one came bright red, now it's deep red/purple. My smaller red one turned green. It was a dirty looking green but it's getting a little brighter. I wonder what my little orange one will do. Mine are in a 60 gallon long with 2 HM Electronics Cetus SP.