Mantis Shrmp Discussion...

[dave green]

I've noticed more threads popping up about the care of mantis shrimp... but it seems that not so long ago, they were the absolute devil... :confused2:

So... hypothetically speaking, if you were to discover that you had a mantis shrimp, what would you do?

 

[brianjfinn]

Determine what type it is, and set up a separate tank if possible

 

[jennm]

They are interesting to keep in a species tank, but not for a community (reef) tank.

The one we have is in her own little tank. We once put another (hitchhiker) mantis in with her, but it vanished (read: got eaten), and we've put the occasional hitchhiker crab in there too, which winds up as a meal.

So she has a solitary existence, but she's fun to watch.

Jenn

 

[dave green]

Interesting....

No Mantises here... just a curiousity...

 

[dangit2001]

They are very fun to watch. My neighbor has one and it is very entertaining. They respond to your movements and it seems that it understands you.

 

[smoothie]

Easiest to find the rock it is in and FW dip it if you have one in the display. They are smart, but still shy at first if you do a species tank. After you get it used to you and want it out even more add a damsel. Keep the mantis fed so it isn't too apt to attack, but a damsel is tough and can fend for itself with a small shrimp. My 2 guys lived together for awhile with me and with jaustin before that. I just lost interest and was bored by it so I gave the shrimp away. 2.5g with macro and zoas with an led.
The mantis did enjoy beating the mess out of any xenia that I tried to put in there.