How big does Smithii get?

[Scotty]

I have a 1.5 inch G Smithii. Anyone know how large they grow? I have a female, are males different colors?
Roy, you out there?
Thanks,
Scott L

[Scotty]

Please reply in inches. I'm a American, my tape measure has inches!

[ADHybrid]

I have a G. Smithii and its about 3 inches long right now. I dont know how long they get but they get bigger that 1.5 inches long. Just keep feeding it and it'll grow for you.

[Gonodactylus]

The body color of males tends to be a bit darker green, but that is about it. Maximum size for G. smithii is 3.5 inches.

Roy

[Scotty]

Hey Roy,
Have you found tank size to inhibit growth?

[Gonodactylus]

Tank size effects are related to the relative size of the stomatopod to the aquarium. We keep 12 mm adult Taku in 250 ml plastic cups changing the water twice a week and they do fine - for years. I have most of my Odontodactylus havanensis and O. latirostris in 1 gallon tanks and I haven't lost one for months - and they are growing. On the other hand, most of my O. scyllarus are in divided 125 gallon tanks - five to a tank.

I would be surprised if most smaller gonodactylids were strongly effected by small tanks because they spend most of their time in a tight fitting cavities. I get the impression that tank size does impact on some of the larger burrowers, however. That would include O. scyllarus, Hemisquilla ensigera and Lysiosquillina.

Indirectly, tank size typically has some relationship to water quality, or at least fluctuations in water quality. In this way, small, less stable tanks could reduce growth.

Roy