Mantis or not to Mantis that is the question?

Not necessarily so, I'm talking about a quick dip or a squirt here and there. It's all about priorities. If you get an unwanted hitchhiker you will regret not doing so. I've had a stone crab and a mantis shrimp appear in my tanks. It's not what you want.

 

N. wennerae make great pets for smallish tanks, you can usually find them pretty cheap. I paid $9 for mine, and I think Jwin paid $.50 for one of his.

G. smithii is a better species, but they are more rare and more expensive. Usually around $50.

There are plenty of other great species as well.

 

Well I decided to go with:

Purple Spot Mantis Shrimp, Smith's Mantis Shrimp - Gonodactylus smithii

They had free shipping on live stock if you spend over $99. I should receive on Tuesday and will let you guys know how it goes. I finished the mantis tank and will post some pics in a bit

Thanks for all the advice!

 

It's tuesday... ;D

 

its wednesday?!?!

 

I got him today! Aggressive little sucker . I was able to get a Purple Spot Mantis, he is about 3.5". I will have to think of a good name from him. He already took out the one snail I left in the tank. I deceided I am going to order a 20 gallon acryllic tank for just the mantis. I have only had him for 2 hours and feel he is the coolest thing I have purchased so far! Couple new questions:

1) How often do you feed and what do you recommend feeding?
2) When I upgrade to the 20 gallon can I keep (2) in the same tank?
3) Would you recommend putting down egg crate to keep them from burrowing under LR?
4) How deep of a sand bed?
5) Can I keep Damsels with them?
6) When you go on vacation (1 week) would you just drop 10 or so snails in the tank?

Thanks all, I will take pictures when I get home from work!

 

i can answer a couple of those questions. i feed mine krill. usually twice a week. sometimes only once if theres snails in there with him. ive kept a damsel in the tank since inception, just after xmas. mantis has never gone after it. and if youre gone a week, throw a few snails in and it will be fine. depending on the triats of the mantis, some do need\prefer a deep sand bed to burrow in. for others , just have lots of rubble and they will make there own den. i went with a crushed coral sub, with rubble. but mines smaller and just lives in holes in the LR. some PVC tubes wil lprob be good for it also.

 

sweet cant wait to see your pics. cant really help with your questions. ive never had a mantis. but im following this thread, maybe i can learn something...

 

Thanks for the help Divott, I tried to give you some K but apparently I have given you too much love lately .

 

Looking forward to seeing the pictures! I am glad you are enjoying him so far!