Awesome hitchhiker! ID?

[annietye]

I just recieved a stunning shipment of live rock from Tampa Bay Saltwater, and much to my delight a really amazing mantis shrimp made the trip. I am thinking that I will dedicate the 30g he is in to just him, and make an empty 55g I have the main display tank.

I haven't been able to get a picture of him out of his rock yet, but he is beginning to get more bold. He is quite curious, always poking his head out to see what is going on!

Despite the little bit there is to go on, does anyone have any ideas about him? He covers the opening to his den at night, if that helps...

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/164312IMG_4398.jpg

[annietye]

BTW-the rock is aquacultured in the Florida Keys

[Angel7989]

I'm almost positive its a N. Wennerae.
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthropoda/crustacea/malacostraca/eumalacostraca/royslist/species.php?name=n_wennerae

[helipilot]

I'll second that.

[Pea-brain]

I would bet every cent I own on it being a wennera :D (of course I won't, but you get the idea) anyways closing the burrow at night is normal. Good luck with your new mantis! TBS live rock doesn't usually have alot of die off because of the quality (especially with shipping) and N. wenneraes could probably survive some of the worst cycles, so it should make it through the cycle easily if it hasn't already.

Dan

[annietye]

Thank you! He sure does look like the picture of N. wennerae from Angel's link. I posted some pictures of the tank in my gallery, including a few more of the mantis in case anyone is interested.

[Giga]

LOL you now have the bug! I got with my N.Wennerae(neon lime green) and it got me started in saltwater tanks! Now i'm building a 3 tank system one for SPS corals and fish and the other for a 5" Peacock that I have a friend holding for me!
This is my design
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/7378/tankblueprinteu2.png


This is my 2.5 with my N Wennerae is in
http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/4513/dscf1385tq5.jpg
http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/3069/dscf1378mp7.jpg

Once the mantis bug get you theres no turning back

[annietye]

That's awesome!! Did you just use base rock or did you spring for live? I think my plan is evolving into something like the one you diagrammed, with a total of three tanks plumbed together (55, 30, and a 20 long refugium) and a 30g Rubbermaid Brute sump. All tanks will be "display." Keep us posted on the development of your system!

[Giga]

I will I'm in the procces of moving in to a new apartment and after I'm moved the new project will began. I have since changed the project as the system will be 137 gallons not as the first tank is a 56 gallon and then the second is a 23(peacock) gallon and then a 55 gallon sump. The system is still evolving so it could change be I will start building it soon.