Mantis lighting

Anyone know if a 55w t8 light would be too much for a mantis shrimp? I've heard that they are sensitive to high lighting but was sure if this light would be too much for one.

 

I know some people just run 1 or 2 actinic bulbs in mantis tanks; no daylight bulbs.

 

Idk think they are so much "sensitive" to bright light so much as they are just more active and a little braver in dimmer light...

 

They can live under anything. What they need is a super dark place to molt. It's harder to provide this with brighter lighting. I use black PVC pipe that curves so that he can hide within. The black gives them a darker surrounding than the white.

 

Hell, this isn't even my thread... but thanks Incognito! Good to know!

 

Thanks for the info everyone. My concern was shell rot due to too high of lighting, I've also heard that their eyes are super sensitive to high lighting as well. I got the light for free and really don't know anything about t8 lights so I figured I'd ask here since there is always a wealth of information.

 

Not entirely true. Several species of stomatopods occur naturally in deep water. In bright full spectrum lighting like you would find on a reef tank they quickly become stressed and are more prone to disease. O. scyllarus (peacock mantis) which seems to be everyones favorite is one of those species. O. japonicus is even worse occurring at a depth of between 100-350' no light is recommended for them.

The black PVC pipe is a great suggestion, but IMO is no replacement for proper lighting, I would recommend both.

What size tank is this going over? What kind of mantis do you plan to keep?

 

I've had 2 peacocks that lived for about 6 years. One of their tanks was lite very well.

 

6 years is a long time. I'm glad you had such success, but IMO dimmer bluer lighting that simulates their natural environment could only be helpful, and with a $60 mantis shrimp (not including shipping) you might as well give it the best possible chance. Especially considering having less light is cheaper.

 

I agree, I always want my animals to be happy... even if he will live the same amount of time I would rather he be happy.... but at the same time, who wants a purely blue actinic tank... I am thinking about powder coating some bulbs very lightly to reduce light... but I'm not sure how its going to work