Office Mantis Tank - Pico

Update:


One of the Acan's from Mr. Coral died. And when I say died, I mean I came in the next morning and it was covered in a slimy film. When I sucked up the film, this is what was left of the acan:



Otherwise, the others (and the clam) seem to be doing well.

In fact, I have moved the clam to my 55g because today I picked up this:



Looks to be a Smithii but I need to take more pictures to get a better ID.

 

OMG thats so cool! What site did you get it from?? I want a mantis tank so badly.

 

Except theyre not reef safe i thought?

 

I actually got him from my LFS.

You can get them online from Numerous places. If you are looking for a smaller species though, try this:

Live Rock - Tampa Bay Saltwater Aquacultured Live Rock - Price List

Also, he is reef safe; He is not snail/crab safe

 

Mantis is doing very well. He has wreaked havoc on most of my CUC, lol. Seems to be very happy.

 

Suprised I hadnt seen this thread sooner, I try to keep up with the mantis threads.

Hard to tell from that angle, and I am far from an expert but looks like a smithii to me.

ZC, mantis are a unique animal to classify when it comes to reef safe. The definition of reef safe also varies depending on who you ask. Some say reef safe is if it doesnt bother coral, some say reef safe is not bothering fish (or inverts), some say reef safe is all of the above.

There are smashers which will pretty much snack on a CuC, and slashers which eat fish. I have a peacock mantis (smasher)with several fish & softies in the tank without issue. My CuC on the other hand, lol.... well lets just say I order a fresh box of snacks from reefcleaners about once a month.

 

Keep in mind "Slashers" or "Spearers" will also eat shrimp ornamental shrimp. As I have a spearer and it does like to eat shrimp. CUC with shells should be relatively fine, however sometimes my mantis finds a way.

 

Good call I forgot about shrimp.

 

I just recently re-titled it to Mantis Tank since I now have one in there

He came out the other day and does have purple on his front arms. Will get a better picture as soon he is out more.

Today, he has created a wall/door out of the larger (now empty) snails shells. It is actually very cool looking.

 

Have you bounced it off Dr. Roy's list yet?

Roy's List of Stomatopods for the Aquarium