Mantis shell rot

[dryad001]

About a month ago my mantis had a very wierd larger spot on one of the abdominal segments. Thankfully after the next molt the "rot" or whatever it was is gone. Anyone know what that actually is?

 

[homer1475]

Fungus of some sort perhaps? Hard to say really. Almost looks like a spot of salt water that has evaporated, but we both know thats not what it is.

 

[StatelineReefer]

Roy Caldwell once believed that shell rot was due to a bacterial infection that thrived on high light, so if you have your mantis lit with reef lights, bring the intensity down a bit and install a small UV sterilizer.

Encouraging more frequent molts is also recommended, but the methodology is up you to.

 

[dryad001]

I have cut my lights from 8 hours to 4 per day, hes in an older Oceanic biocube and ballasts are slightly hard to come by