help identify?

[dadsoldtruck]

hey guys, one of my LFS has this guy for sale but we don't what species it is and I can't seem to find it on Roy's List. How big of a tank does it need? Thanks guys!!

[Fretfreak13]

...picture? lol

[Kharn]

picture would help lol =)

[dadsoldtruck]

lol...oops got so excited...

<a href="http://s235.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/elenaplank/?action=view&amp;current=IMG_1349.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee264/elenaplank/IMG_1349.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[Ehudd]

wowwwww

Get it!

[Ehudd]

Its always helpful to know what part of the world it came from. But I am as confused as you. Roy will know.

[dadsoldtruck]

the guy has absolutely no info on it. it was a trade in. someone was keeping it in a 3 gallon tank till it outgrew the tank. I would of never given it up.

[The Mike]

looks like a female g. chiragra IMO. but im no expert

[Kharn]

Daymn nice mantis =)

Me thinks its eyeing off the inhabitant next to it, which might be one of the painted lobsters by the slight looks of it. =D

Really purrty mantis =P

[Gonodactylus]

Female Gonodactylus chiragra.

Roy

[TundraGuy]

Yo Dad, are you going to pick her up? Also where you at in the world? I think that I would like to get one of these guys even though I understand them to be mostly cave dwellers. Scurrying back to the cave every time you approach the tank I would still like to get one.

Funny thing is every time I make up my mind to break down all of my tanks I find something that just makes me change my mind. Grrr got to keep my priorities strait.

Go get her and post a new thread all about her for us. Congrats on a good find.

[dadsoldtruck]

Tundra, i'm in San Diego. I have yet to see a store that carries Mantis around here. This is the first time. Trying to convince the hubby which sometimes he can be worse than a woman. lol... Think I'm just going to surprise him.

Will she keep those colors or will she darken up? Also, what is their lifespan as I believe she's full grow being she's 5" long?

[RussM]

Tundra, i'm in San Diego. I have yet to see a store that carries Mantis around here. This is the first time. I've seen manti at PK, AW, and OG at times. And if you want a specific species, ask your favorite LFS to try to get one on their next LA wholesaler run.

[dadsoldtruck]

ya, we got a new store called Aquatica and they've been looking for the last 4 weeks for a g. Tern for me and still haven't seen one. Hate to sound retarded, but not sure RussM what stores PK, AW, and OG are.

[Malign Reefer]

Very nice looking Mantis

[The Mike]

Awesome coloration! IME It will vary over time with molts and the surrounding environment. As mentioned above they arent very interactive and love to go hide as soon as someone approaches the tank and will tend to cave dwell 95% of the time.

Ive been working on possible ways to keep such species more active but im only in the trials of this atm.

With all that being said if your looking for your first stomatopod I wouldnt reccomend this species if your looking for an interactive and "in your face" kind of mantis.

[Veganbrian]

Wow, I'm jealous.. Amazing find!

[dadsoldtruck]

this actually isn't my first Mantis, I used to have a G. Tern. and was looking for another one.

I just got home with this girl right now and she's acclimating as we speak. I got some more background on her from the store. The original owner kept her in a 3gl tank for the last 4 years and named her Rosey (that's gonna change) and of course eats pretty much everything in sight. They also said she was very aggressive when you come up to the tank. The guys at the shop were having fun watching her destroy Emerald crabs... lol The husband is gonna kill me, but oh well, she's worth it and I hope she likes her new home. More pics to come later...

[mndfreeze]

Wait, is it common for Chiagra's to have that cool coloration? Or is it the picture? That is a really pretty specimen.

[Kharn]

As far as I'm concerned most if not all "Gonodactyloids" are extremely polymorphic (can vary in color greatly).

[dadsoldtruck]

She is very light, but I believe they stuck a special light over as she's not that "bright" on her own. She's still very pretty and i think I like her more without the special lighting. It's easier now to see how closely related she is to a G. Tern. and G. Smithii. Just much different personality.

[Kharn]

She is very light, but I believe they stuck a special light over as she's not that "bright" on her own. She's still very pretty and i think I like her more without the special lighting. It's easier now to see how closely related she is to a G. Tern. and G. Smithii. Just much different personality.

Likely enhanced through photo-shop style editing

[ravi197699]

beautiful colors if you tank will support it get it