could be I guess... last time they both shed on the same day (albeit the one is a complete shed behind the other) if something caused both to fall then that would explain why the one was having a panic attack and the other stuck. Will watch the other one closely and if he sheds would pretty much suspect that's the cause. The stuck one is screwed though can't see anyway of helping him.

What a shame. I lost a spiny flower as well, same sort of thing. Dont give up on mantids, they are awesome little critters. So many types to choose from.

Phylocrania paradoxa 0.2.2.
Alalomantis coxalis 0.1.0
Tenodera Aridifolia 0.0.10
Extatosoma tiaratum
Phyllium siccifoliu
Neohirasea maerens
Grammostola rosea
Brachypelma Albopilosum

I think my problem is I only have two. Maybe if you have lots you don't get so attached to individuals...

What should I do with the injured one? I've heard talk of freezing but I've always kept fish and was told freezing wasn't a nice way to put them to sleep... I know mantids aren't fish but don't want to do anything that isn't instant... am going to leave him until morning just in case a miracle happens but don't want him to just starve to death.

I don't think it looks like moulting. I would move the other off the fish tank for a while and replace the top with netting or sit it on a plant or something.

The first mantis has now died. I moved the second mantis and is currently in an open pot. He's now in the same condition, lying at the bottom of the pot twitching. Like the first he seemed to lose his balance and could no longer grip, his front raptorial leg seemed paralysed and the rest of his body has followed. Absolutely gutted. Any more ideas? I have no idea what's caused this.

can you tell us;

how many times you spray?
what you feed them on?
and were they eating okay?

CURRENT:

1.0.0 H. Coronatus (Orchid mantid)
0.0.1 P. Paradoxa (ghost mantids)
1.0.6 Miomantis sp
0.0.1 P. Wahlbergii (Spiny flower)
3.2.0 O. Zebrata ( Zebra mantis)

I don't spray. I've always used damp cotton wool in the bottom of their pot. I keep them on top of the fish tank and it mists up quite nicely. Change the cotton wool every couple of days. They've been eating fruit flies and had eaten the day before this occurred, they always seemed to kill more flies than they ate but I think they were getting enough. The one was 5th instar the other 4. They were only 1/2 when I got them.

The fact that they've both got it certainly suggests something environmental. I guess you can't rule out disease, they were kept next to each other but had no direct contact, but the suddenness of this strikes me as odd. I noticed the problem because the one suddenly started running about its pot madly - they are usually quite still. It was then I noticed the other was lying upside down on the bottom.

The one I have left seems unable to use its front raptorial legs. He will move his back legs and keeps struggling to right himself but really looks done for to be honest.

Actually comparing the pictures I took of the first one with the one I have left they've done exactly the same thing. Back legs splayed out and mobile, centre ones folded in across the body, front raptorial arms tucked up and immobile. Incidentally the pic on the first page of this thread, mantis on the coin, was taken 48 hours before this happened. I'm pretty sure they were both healthy at that point, can't see any obvious signs of impending doom.

the reason why we spray is so that the mantids can drink from the dropplets on the side and to make the enclosure humid.so maybe they just didnt have a drink and thats what caused it? or could you have any sort of air freshener or something like that that is sprayed near them? just a thought.

CURRENT:

1.0.0 H. Coronatus (Orchid mantid)
0.0.1 P. Paradoxa (ghost mantids)
1.0.6 Miomantis sp
0.0.1 P. Wahlbergii (Spiny flower)
3.2.0 O. Zebrata ( Zebra mantis)

Sorry for you loss. There are some more robust species you could try. I recommend you have another go.
Can you rule out cat flea treatment, overheating or direct sunlight?
Sometimes it is hard to know what went wrong but it does sound like poorly ventilated too humid containers might have been a problem as they got older. By spraying daily with a net top (or some old tights on top) and a bit of wetted kitchen roll down the side of the container the humidity will vary through the day.