mantis shrimp

what is so bad about these guys

 

They can kill your fish if they get close enough and they can break your glass if it is not thick enough. But they are pretty cool to keep in a tank all by themselves.

 

wow how could they break ur glass or kill ur fish what if u have big fish

 

I thought of all people you jt, would be beyond steroetypes.

The only mantis that can break glass are peacocks...and only after they are 6"ish.

There are two types of mantis...spearers and smashers. The spearers will take live fish, but the smashers will 99% of the time leave them alone.

Roy's List of Stomatopods for the Aquarium

Dr. Roy has devoted alot of time to these creatures, and I suggest reading if you are interested. There are many more species, but these are the ones that are "common" in the aquarium trade. BTW...more times than not (unless you order LR from TampaBaySaltwater.com) the "mantis" you have in your tank as a hitchiker is actually a pistol shrimp.

 

They are my favorite marine animals that I've ever kept. Most species are not capable of breaking your tank and most species will not actively hunt fish. (Heck, I've kept fish in a number of my mantis nano's over the years).

Here's some good info. The Lurker's Guide to Stomatopods - Mantis Shrimp

 

Sorry I was not specific enough on that one. I just was answering what can be bad about them and wanted to help out before I left work. I actually have been trying to get my hands on one as well as I find them as facinating as pistol shrimp.

 

Hehehe, I was just giving you a hard time man

I know..as soon as I move out and go to college, I'm setting up a tank and getting a N. Wen or possibly some other smaller species.

 

Mantis are awesome. My lfs has a huge peacock for sale but I don't want to set another tank up for it. Or doooo I?

 

You do
:thumb_up:

 

You're a baaaaaaaaaaad man!!