Mantis (Kungfu Shrimpy's) tank

[MikeShook]

Well after 2 years of hearing popping noises, and a finding consistant pile of empty hermit shells....I finally found my 1inch long Mantis. Now that he has finally been discovered he demands to be called Kungfu Shrimpy, and given a home of his own. I don't ususally succumb to terrorist demands in my tank, but he has given my no choice as he threatens to destroy all who come in his way.

So I would like a Nano tank, with some live rock, decent lighting. Something I can keep on a counter top. Ideas on size, filtration (if any), lighting recommends etc.. I don't know how much time I have left before he starts killing hostages.....

 

[Jennie]

I love your humor! There are alot of people that use smaller tanks for a mantis, if I remember right go with Acrylic, as they have a tendancy to break glass.

 

[Phischy]

Shook, show him the nice cozy all glass condo of his own, complete with built in whirlpool. Once he moves in, plug it in and his "Puree" or "Ice Crush". ha!

I had a mantis in mine, he wouldn't budge, so I walled him in Mob style. He's the only permanent member of my tank.

 

[incysor]

:lol:

I'd say go with a 2.5g pico if you can't make/find something of a similar size out of acrylic. No filtration, just weely water changes. Cheap 13w clip on light should do the trick.

B

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

LOL Phischy! I like your way of thinking. That's what I had planned for my gorilla crab before he ended up dying on his own and becoming a buffet for my blenny and clean up crew. Of course, this was AFTER I spent 5 hours ripping the cube apart and rescaping after unsuccesfully trying to find him.

You have a soft heart Shook. Mantis' are supposedly great/fascinating creatures to keep. I just can't get past the creep-out factor. Good luck!

 

[MikeShook]

Luckily I'm tearing down(selling) my tank(not nano) anyway since I'm moving, and he is inisiting that I take him with me along with some of his shelled "friends". I'm guessing I will just keep him on a kitchen counter top. Something around 5-10 gallons (something with a small footprint but tall enough to get some water volume), and maybe nothing more than Live Rock and a few polyps, shrooms, rics, I have left on the rock that I couldn't sell. I like the idea of a small wattage PC bulb...probably 50/50. No filtration? Just powerhead weekly water changes.

 

[Kris]

Might want to look into a 5.5 for 7gal bow. Both have small footprints and you shouldnt have to spend a fortune setting them up.

 

[Chubosco]

What kind of mantis is it? There is a web site devoted to mantis raising. I think it was called grim reapers or something. I boiled mine alive in live rock after a three month war. His body is still entombed there in the rock, in my tank. No more clicking waking me up at night! HA! HA! HA! I won you know. Ha! The guilt....the guilt.

 

[puppetmaster_6000]

reef-central has a thread for mantis shrimps ...........funnie stories too.Feed the shrimp snails,hermits,damsels all the time. I would think a aquaclear filter so u can have a small refuge.Tanks size 5-10 with lr and some corals+powerhead,weekly water changes.Light, whatever u want to keep in there.

 

[MikeShook]

It looks like a small Peacock to me....it's one of the "smashers". I would be surprised (but not in disbelief) if he was able to break a glass tank. I'm thinking I like either the little JBJ 6 gallon guy, or someone mentioned a 7 gallon bow that sounds nice. I may pass on the an aquaclear filter for a fuge and put some macro in the tank instead. Pics will follow....

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Can't wait to see the set up!