Mantis in a 10g

G. Smithii's are not going to get to 5" they top out around 3.5"

 

Looking at these so far. That website was good to see, but expensive.

Odontodactylus scyllarus
G smithi
Maybe the Odontodactylus Havanensis

Mantis Shrimp

Will all minstis shrimp did burrows if I have a deep enough sand bed or is it just a few varieties?

 

I like Reefmoneky's setup. Nice thread too.

 

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Stay away from the O. Scy (peacock) It'll have the potential to kick the crud out of your tank when it gets bigger. That's what I've read anyhow. Good luck finding a smithii or havanensis. When my build was re-cycling both were available from a couple different dealers. Then they were gone and haven't had any more in stock. I gave up trying to find one and just ordered a N. Wennerae from tbsaltwater.com. It's not a settlement really, more like a learning tool for a first time owner. LOL I'll love him just as much as a harder to get species.

 

O. scyllarus will not fit in a 10gal. They require 25-30 gallons.

O. havanensis are extremely difficult to find right now. Florida had an extremely cold winter which made them very scarce. Also a 10gal is a little tight. It could be done with careful monitoring of water parameters and removing molt skins/waste. A 20gal would be much better.

Smashers require rock cavities or large enough rubble pieces to build a den depending on the species. Spearers are the only ones that dig burrows in the sand.

 

I was planning to get about 12 lb of LR and about 5 lb of LS, if I can get the small of an amount..

 

You should line the bottom half of your tank walls with acrylic sheets to avoid any smashing surprises. 10G tanks have very thin walls, assuming the tank is glass. I would get 3/16" acrylic sheets that go up about 1/3 of the way up your tank to be on the safe side. I've read about disasters that happen when they go to smash snails and hermits that are near the walls.

 

I for one AM NOT lining my tank with acrylic, it is glass... and a mantis is going in it, I already have the mantis and the tank is set up and cycling (almost done!).... if you want a peacock then get an acrylic tank, otherwise I think you will be ok with a glass tank .(I hope, I'm doing it also)

BTW, I got a N. Wennerae ( I think) from a fellow reefer for free, I just payed shipping... he/she is still rather small but has molted twice now and is a nice deep purple after the last one. Maybe you can find one this same way? Either way, good luck in finding your new friend! They are awesome!

 

Thanks. I'm not certain yet on what exactly I am going to do, yet. I still have the danio.. I thought about making it live food for my Sw tank, but I only have just the coral beauty & my CUC (2 Cleaner shrimp, a few snails, 1 hermit left). The danio is of decent size. :/

 

There are plenty of stomatopods that will do just fine in a 10gal. N. wennerae, G. smithii, G. ternatensis and many more I can not be bothered to type out right now.*

*just got home from the club and am not feeling well. let me know in the AM what you are looking for in a mantis and I will help you determine what the best species for you would be.