Info on Mantis

[Scott G]

I am thinking about adding a mantis to my 20 long fuge. I heard that this is okay (even though it is glass.) I am curious though, as to the care requirements of mantis'. What are they fed? The same as fish? And how often. Also, can they be kept with anything? Not fish, but maybe a star or some hermits?

Thanks
Scott

 

[DavidGallant]

ask kevinmcg about mantis food. he may mention a certain clownfish......

 

[penguinsix]

It should eat any snail or hermit, or any invert really. What kind are you looking at? Have you looked at http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthropoda/crustacea/malacostraca/eumalacostraca/royslist/

 

[fanaglethebagle]

With glass a spearer would be fine. I really like the "banana" mantis shrimp

 

[fanaglethebagle]

By the way, you could feed it mysis, shrimp, the occasional damsel.

 

[Scott G]

Odontodactylus scyllarus
Hemisquilla californiensis
Neogonodactylus curacaoensis

Thanks a lot for the link Josh! The ones above are my favorites

 

[Scott G]

With glass a spearer would be fine. I really like the "banana" mantis shrimp

I've seen those on atlantis aquarium, very very cool!!

 

[penguinsix]

Spearers require a sandbed the length of their body. Odontodactylus scyllarus requires a 20g tank. Hemisquilla californiensis is a coldwater species. Neogonodactylus curacaoensis isn't that common and is also shy. Check out the mantis forum on RC for good info.

 

[Scott G]

Thanks a lot for all of the info!!

 

[Scott G]

I heard over at RC that a N. wennerae or a G. smithii are my best choices. Anyone have experience with these?

 

[penguinsix]

I had an N. wenn. I would love another. She was shy for the first month or so, but after being at my work for about a month she was out often. N. wenn are very common on tbs rock. I don't hsve experience with G. smithi, but that would be my next mantis if I could find one.

 

[Scott G]

Great to hear! I hope I can find one

 

[shawn]

I heard over at RC that a N. wennerae or a G. smithii are my best choices. Anyone have experience with these?

I've had an N. Wennerae for a little over 4 years now. I used to have two, and they even spawned once (100's of little n.w. all over my system!). It has the run of one of my 30g sump-bins. Very easy to care for - I hand feed it (with tongs) about 1/3 of it's body size of raw shrimp a week (the kind from the supermarket). I don't know if it finds other stuff to eat, but it doesn't seem very hungry when fed. They are really smart and aware of what is going on around them, but they very much dislike to be exposed and are stressed if they don't have an enclosed place to "retire" to. A really good place to go for info is the Mantis shrimp forum on RC.

 

[Kevin McG]

I have a Pseudoquilla Ciliata in my 33 long refuguim and he is doing great. I do have snails and such in there and haven't witnesses him going after any as of yet. I do keep him fed with silversides and his favorite a nice bay scallop