I.D. Help

[CAMAKAZY]

Hi all, new to these boards, been reading alot here though. Anyways a while back I saw a tank for sale that had a mantis in it. It interested me, although out of my price range at the time. So I did some research and found these little guys to be quite cool. Just curiously browsing the lfs one day I asked if they ever get mantis. He told me to check in the mason jar behind the counter so I did. Inside was a little guy about and inch and a half long. The mantis had been recovered from a piece of live rock sold at the store. So anyway he told I should take it as they did not want it. So I did and I can tell you he is the most interesting animal I've ever had. He is very personal and always comes out to see what's going on. So now that I've had him a while, and after finding these forums I am curious as to exactly what kind of mantis I have. So if you could help I'd appreciate it.

ps. excuse the pic quality, the tank was a lil dirty and he is so small it is hard for my camera to focus on him

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/510/208757mantis.jpg

[twelvejewelz]

possible a peacock mantis ? Odontodactylus scyllarus?

[Giga]

not a peacock at all kinda looks like a G smithii to me

[justinl]

G. smithii

[DylanE]

i'd definatly say G. Smitii

[CAMAKAZY]

Thanks for the replies. I was checking him out earlier and noticed red spots that to me look in between the uropods and the telson on each side. That's what I think the two parts are anyway. On Roy's list it says that's a indicator for g smithii. Could anyone tell me what would make a good diet for him. As of now he gets one fw ghost shrimp every other day and a snail every other week. Also are fw ghost shrimp even good for him, he seems to love them. Again thanks for the help.

[CAMAKAZY]

BUMP. Any aditional info is appreciated.

[justinl]

Diet should consist of mainly frozen foods. It is best to pick at least three and cycle between them; mantids aren't picky and you can use anything from squid, cuttlefish, octopus, clam, scallop, silverside, krill table shrimp etc etc. much of it available from the grocery store. it would be good to soak in a supplement like selcon once in a while.

live hard shelled foods are necessary a few times a month. the more the merrier though. small snails, crabs and hermits serve well.

stop feeding ghost shrimp or anything else freshwater. that's like feeding it ice cubes; they have very little nutritional value.