Mantis ID

ThunderGoose · Aug 17, 2017

OK. This might be hard. I don't have a GOOD picture - I just discovered this 3" girl this afternoon. She must've come in on live rock about 2 months ago. I spotted her in a hole in my rock but I also have burrows under other rocks. Coloring is purple/blue/dark body with orange on the distal end of the legs (far end). Unfortunately right now that's all I got. The rock was from Tampa Bay Saltwater so gulf of Mexico. All of my live rock came in the same shipment(s) in mid-June.

First sighting:

Body shot:

She took target fed piece of clam.

Very bad but I tried to get a look at her front appendages. Not sure if this is helpful or not.

Any identification, even guesses, would be welcome. If she's a small species I'll set up a species specific tank. If she's gonna get too big she'll be up for adoption.

Thanks.

cgdcinc · Aug 17, 2017

Looks like a mantis.

ThunderGoose · Aug 17, 2017

cgdcinc said:
Looks like a mantis.

Yeah, I kinda figured the pictures weren't good enough. I'll keep my camera handy in case she comes out and I can get a better look.

cgdcinc · Aug 19, 2017

Have you seen it again? Do you have other livestock in the tank? I have seen other people with mantis only tanks. They are interesting. But not if you wanted other things in the tank. Lol.

ThunderGoose · Aug 19, 2017

cgdcinc said:
Have you seen it again? Do you have other livestock in the tank? I have seen other people with mantis only tanks. They are interesting. But not if you wanted other things in the tank. Lol.

I have seen her several times since the first time. Never a great look, though. I pulled out my fish (only one, it's new and nano) and am trying to decide what to do with the tank now.

Jlentz · Aug 19, 2017

ThunderGoose said:
I have seen her several times since the first time. Never a great look, though. I pulled out my fish (only one, it's new and nano) and am trying to decide what to do with the tank now.

Mantis tank!

Lol, it's probably a wrennae (sp?) Tampa bay sw tends to have a lot of them from what I've heard.

Check the reefcentral mantis subforum for a better id. It's the only reason I still check RC.