Today marks three week that I've had Maurice. The guys from my favorite LFS got him for me, and I feel so lucky to finally have a young aculeatus! I am finding that his behaviors are a lot like Ollie's, in that he is the most reclusive, almost nocturnal aculeatus I've ever had. I'm not even really sure what hours he keeps… One evening out of 4 I might seem him out. Other than that, I catch him out in the morning after everyone is off to school and work, about 8 am or so. If he notices me he holds still until I look away, then skulks off. He has taken shrimp from me every time I've had the chance. However, he doesn't need to rely on me to feed him yet, as there were 6 peppermint shrimp in the tank when he came home, and lots of hermit crabs. Today he came out and I fed him for the 3rd time, but I only count 2 shrimp left, so I'm not worried.
The only photos I've been able to get are with blue lights only- SO different from an adult!!! In these photos, I had just fed him so he has a piece of shrimp under his mantle. One of the peppermint shrimp decided to come and "clean" him, so occasionally I'd see an arm tip flick it away, but it always came back for another try.
Aside from the difference in active hours, I'm noticing different camouflage preferences in this younger animal. If he is caught out in the open, he tends to go right to the "weedy" appearance and floats or "walks" very daintily. Once it gets to a rock, it darkens like you'd see in an adult, but it's mantle looks prickly- like a spiny puffer.
Hoping to get more photos soon!
The only photos I've been able to get are with blue lights only- SO different from an adult!!! In these photos, I had just fed him so he has a piece of shrimp under his mantle. One of the peppermint shrimp decided to come and "clean" him, so occasionally I'd see an arm tip flick it away, but it always came back for another try.
Aside from the difference in active hours, I'm noticing different camouflage preferences in this younger animal. If he is caught out in the open, he tends to go right to the "weedy" appearance and floats or "walks" very daintily. Once it gets to a rock, it darkens like you'd see in an adult, but it's mantle looks prickly- like a spiny puffer.
Hoping to get more photos soon!