Color Changes -

[yankeereefer]

Is it normal for mantis shrimp to change color more than once?

My wenn started off in Aug kinda reddish green in color - Sometime around Sept it turned really vibrant / neon green. And now in the last week or so, it's become kinda rusty in color.

Still acts normal; smashing rocks and snails -

Is it ill? or maybe time to change bulbs (2x10w coralife 50/50)?

I'm planning to upgrade the tank from the modded 5.5g to a 10g soon.

Thanks for any thoughts
YR

[justinl]

Nothing wrong at all. Mantids can change colour depending on the colour of their habitat and the amount of light they get and for how long. It's because mantids are found in a range of depths and according to depth the colour changes. I imagine that with experience you could figure out how to manipulate the conditions to get your mantis to have a desired colour morph.

[yankeereefer]

Thanks - I'm not sure that's it though-

Mantis has been in the same tank since last August. No changes to lighting or aquascape.

I have a feeling it may be that it's time for new bulbs - But like I said earlier, the tank is going to be upgraded soon.

I just wanted to be sure that he's not ill

[Gonodactylus]

This is consistent with a loss of longer wave lengths.

Roy