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01/06/2018, 10:16 AM | #1 |
Registered Member
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Pair of Mantis - how long will it last?
I added a female mantis to my male. First separated in the same tank and about a week ago I let her free. Initially, they avoided each other but by the next morning, they were sharing a burrow. It has been a week. They have created two burrows but 90% of the time they are together in the same one. I have seen zero aggression thus far. The species is Gonodactylus chiragra.
Will they continue to cohabitate or will I end up finding one or both dead from fighting? Thanks for input/advice.
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01/06/2018, 10:44 AM | #2 |
Mantis Whisperer
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Location: Sacramento, CA
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Wow that is cool... can you post a few pics of them together? Sorry I can’t help but I think one would eventually kill the other
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Aquarium count: 7 salt: 2x10g, 29 biocube, 30g, 55g, 75g, 225g, and one fresh 20g planted tank! Puffer, octopus, and mantis shrimp fanatic! |
01/08/2018, 08:19 AM | #5 |
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It’s so interesting to watch! Thanks
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Aquarium count: 7 salt: 2x10g, 29 biocube, 30g, 55g, 75g, 225g, and one fresh 20g planted tank! Puffer, octopus, and mantis shrimp fanatic! |
01/08/2018, 11:34 AM | #6 |
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Gonodactylus chiragra is a species that has a mate-guarding breeding system. When the female is ready to lay eggs she will occupy a cavity with a male who defends the cavity - particularly against other males. The cohabitation can last for a week or more until the female lays her eggs. A that point the male leaves. If he doesn't, the female may become aggressive an attempt to force him out. Non-reproductive females will not pair with a male..
One interesting feature of this mating system is that males remember females with whom they have paired and will not try to evict them from a cavity for about a month. This is how long the female will be brooding eggs fathered by the male. Roy |
01/08/2018, 11:53 PM | #7 |
Mantis Whisperer
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Sacramento, CA
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That is so cool! I just might have to get a male to try it out and have another tank set up for him
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Aquarium count: 7 salt: 2x10g, 29 biocube, 30g, 55g, 75g, 225g, and one fresh 20g planted tank! Puffer, octopus, and mantis shrimp fanatic! |
01/14/2018, 09:38 AM | #8 |
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Roy, I really appreciate your input. Thanks.
An update - it has been two weeks now, they remain together in the main cavity. During the day, I will occasionally find the female in the second cavity. Once the lights go out, they end up back together. No aggression witnessed thus far.
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