Mantis shrimp color change...

[austinfish]

I know a lot of folks don't like Mantis shrimp, but I have one in a small fish only tank(with fish he can eat if he want's). I enjoy watching him(or her).
This Mantis shrimp is from Florida and was a dark brownish rust when it came on some live rock. About a month a go for no reason I know, it turned a lime green all over. It's eating, and acting fine. Any ideas about this color change??
Thanks!

 

[blueberryboomer]

austinfish, I don't know why he/she would change unless it maturaty. We had a peacock mantis. They are really cool critters. We really enjoyed ours. Lisa

 

[kelly]

Austinfish,
I had one a few years back, and it was a dark brown also, but it was a small one. It was in a reef tank, so I removed it. From the pictures that I have seen of large ones, they were alot more colorful, green with some reddish-brown. Like Lisa said, it has probably matured.
How big is your mantis?

 

[up north hermit]

You probably had an immature peacock, that is now getting his adult colors. I had a peacock, and he was gorgeous. Watch for signs of red and blue to show as well.
Here's a site you should enjoy, that will educate and inform:
http://blueboard.com/mantis
HTH
Hermit
[ November 15, 2001: Message edited by: Up North Hermit ]

 

[austinfish]

Thanks for all your input and the web site.
I really do enjoy this critter!