Giant blue mantis shrimp (ID)

[Cael Gallery]

Hi everyone,
This absolutely insane looking mantis shrimp was recently available here in Australia. My best guess is it's an Odontodactylus species but i'm not aware of any that look like this. I'm not sure where it was collected, but in Australia we can't import inverts so that would mean it's from somewhere in Australian waters, likely northern WA or QLD.

 

[Stomatopods17]

Male G. Graphurus.

They're color polymorphic and will change on molt.

 

[Senor_Minty]

dang I want that.

 

[JonoH]

Hi everyone,
This absolutely insane looking mantis shrimp was recently available here in Australia. My best guess is it's an Odontodactylus species but i'm not aware of any that look like this. I'm not sure where it was collected, but in Australia we can't import inverts so that would mean it's from somewhere in Australian waters, likely northern WA or QLD.

Insane! Would be amazing in a dedicated Nano tank

 

[Hadla]

Giant? I’m here thinking it’s the size of the big spearers and it looks smaller than a peacock lol thanks for posting! Wish we could add a pic to dr Roy’s list

 

[Cael Gallery]

Giant? I’m here thinking it’s the size of the big spearers and it looks smaller than a peacock lol thanks for posting! Wish we could add a pic to dr Roy’s list

I could be wrong but it looks quite big in the video.

 

[Cael Gallery]

Male G. Graphurus.

They're color polymorphic and will change on molt.

Thanks. I have only ever seen the more usual 'geometric' looking G.graphurus. That also probably means it's not as big as the video suggests. Do you reckon it would be possible to influence the colour change by keeping certain water conditions or something?

 

[Stomatopods17]

Thanks. I have only ever seen the more usual 'geometric' looking G.graphurus. That also probably means it's not as big as the video suggests. Do you reckon it would be possible to influence the colour change by keeping certain water conditions or something?

I've never been successful in it personally.

In attempts to keep pink N. wennerae on the warm color palette they instead all turned green on me. No clue how they even develop green pigments when I specifically designed their setup to not have any green or blue.

I think water depth plays a big part in it.

 

[Hadla]

Look what popped up as I looked through the fb group today!

 

[Stomatopods17]

that one might be glaborus, unsure without seeing the telson.

 

[Hadla]

I told her she should post here since people are mantis experts

 

[feesM]

Hi. I’m the new owner of the blue mantis. Sharing some better pics in the hope of an Id. It’s from Australia

 

[Cael Gallery]

Hi. I’m the new owner of the blue mantis. Sharing some better pics in the hope of an Id. It’s from Australia

I'm so jealous. Very beautiful shrimp

 

[feesM]

I'm so jealous. Very beautiful shrimp

It is very beautiful and I’m loving having the little guy. Also fun to explore what it will and won’t eat

 

[Cael Gallery]

It is very beautiful and I’m loving having the little guy. Also fun to explore what it will and won’t eat

I find mine won't eat fish meat but will eat crab, scampi, prawn, krill etc

 

[VintageReefer]

Beautiful mantis

@Stomatopods17 can you ID from the pictures ?

 

[Hadla]

So glad you posted here! I’m the one who linked you he’s so pretty!

 

[feesM]

I find mine won't eat fish meat but will eat crab, scampi, prawn, krill etc

I’ve only seen it eat live grass shrimp so far. I tried a frozen cockle. It took it into its burrow and then booted it out a few hours later. Going to try dried mysis and frozen lance fish over the next week. Would be good to have a non live food option. Assuming you are in aus, how are you sourcing food?

 

[VintageReefer]

Put some live snails and hermits in there. It will eat them when it’s ready

 

[Hadla]

Yeah definitely hermits! And are you able to get frozen fish food? Mine love squid cubes and jumbo mysis