Pet Mantis Shrimp...?

Hello all. ;D While working at the LFS I have become attatched to a Peacock Mantis Shrimp that we have. I'm in the process of setting up a species tank for him and I've started the cycling. My question is if anyone else has one and what your experiences with them are (please no horror stories of finding them in your reef tank and trying to get them out). Thank you so much!

 

Astalie Amcarrig has one so I think she could answer a lot of your questions .. John

 

I think JohnO also has one

J

 

Since you work at a LFS I would suggest sneaking a peak at the book "Reef Invertebrates" by Anthony Calfo & Robert fenner. There is a four page arcticle in there about captive care and is a good read.

 

Already read that. Its a pretty good book too.. when there is down time at work i get to flip through "the library". I love my job! Just wish he(the boss) didn't get so much of his money back

 

Thats why I'm scared to work at a fish store. I would end up owing them money.

 

lol...well for most of my uncles fish stores...lol when he walks in they put up a sign that says no refunds...im so serious...but they r joking i think...lets just say ummmm hes unlucky? anyways about a mantis...i would think that in a tank with nothing u dont want them to eat they should be pretty easy to keep...just feed it i suppose frozen food or shimp


Ps...Im listening to Hyperactive lol if there r any Thomas Dolby fans here lets hear a yell

 

[quote author=Astalie link=board=Inverts;num=1113432857;start=0#0 date=04/13/05 at 18:54:17]Hello all.  ;D  While working at the LFS I have become attatched to a Peacock Mantis Shrimp that we have.  I'm in the process of setting up a species tank for him and I've started the cycling.  My question is if anyone else has one and what your experiences with them are (please no horror stories of finding them in your reef tank and trying to get them out).  Thank you so much! [/quote]
Never kept a peacock before but I did keep a N. Wennerae for about a year (unfortunately, it died due to a bad molt only last month) The peacock is a great mantis that will need a tank of about 5-10 gallons and if you can afford acrylic, go for it. You'll need about an inch of sand and lots of rock in the tank to make it comfortable. Also, consider a titanium heater for the tank as I've read stories of them being startled into striking the heater by the red indicator light that is on most glass heaters. Read up on shell disease that is very common in this species so that you know what to look for. Get an iodine test kit and some iodine as they need it to molt successfully. Mantis are wonderful animals and I've found them to be the most interesting invert being kept in aquaria these days.

 

[quote author=amcarrig link=board=Inverts;num=1113432857;start=0#7 date=04/14/05 at 12:24:19]
Never kept a peacock before but I did keep a N. Wennerae for about a year (unfortunately, it died due to a bad molt only last month)    The peacock is a great mantis that will need a tank of about 5-10 gallons and if you can afford acrylic, go for it.  You'll need about an inch of sand and lots of rock in the tank to make it comfortable.  Also, consider a titanium heater for the tank as I've read stories of them being startled into striking the heater by the red indicator light that is on most glass heaters.  Read up on shell disease that is very common in this species so that you know what to look for.  Get an iodine test kit and some iodine as they need it to molt successfully.  Mantis are wonderful animals and I've found them to be the most interesting invert being kept in aquaria these days.  
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Do you want mine? He's harmless and indestructable. Waves goodbye to me in the morning as well

John

 

lol. if i did not have a reef tank with scooter dragonets i would want one...they r so cool