12 gallon nano + N.wennera + what fish??

[TitansFan]

So my mantis has been a happy guy/gal in his little home of his own. Eventually I would like to add some more movement to the tank. The problem I see is most recommended fish for a 12 gallon are gobies. Uhm well.. I don't think a goby and mantis would make good buddies. Can anyone recommend one fish for a 12 gallon nano with a N.wennera?

Thanks.

 

[mattyice]

no fish will be a buddy, it would just be a matter of time before the mantis kills it, and i dont care what anyone says about damsels being too fast, i have personally seen my peacock grab a damsel while swimming past its cave (grabbed, didnt hit or kill it but grabbed it), and started to eat it while it was still moving

 

[justinl]

I agree with matty. No fish is really safe from the unspeakable evil we all know and love as the mantis shrimp. Your best bet would be something fast, cheap, and stays in the water column. Like a damsel. Unfortunately, i think 12 gal isn't really enough for one. Maybe you could try some other fish that is less space demanding while feeding the mantis more?

 

[Thurge]

Just about anything you put in with a Mantis is a potential dinner guest. A quick look at Liveaquaria shows that Chrysiptera cyanea (blue Damsel) max out around 2inches so that is probably your best bet in that size tank. There are several other damsels and Clowns that max at 3 inches, so if you have a place they can go when they out grow your 12 those are another option. I wouldn't try a gobie unless the gobie is huge in comparison (I lost a small Yellow Watchman Gobie) or any of the other "nano" fish as they are mostly slower moving, sit and perch fish.
I have been curious about a Flasher wrasse but don't want to risk the $30 for one.

 

[DanInSD]

I have kept yellow-tailed blue damsels with N. wennerae without issue. Keeping two in a twelve-gallon should not be an issue.

 

[matter1331]

Should there be concern about the fact that it's a glass tank? I've always been under the impression that mantis should not be kept in glass unless it's pretty thick.

 

[justinl]

the glass question is only true for some species. For example a big peacock or chiragra maight break glass. If you're dealing with a smaller species like a wennerae or smithii, then no they won't break glass unless it's really thin. Their smashing dactyls are more streamlined and less used to thick shelled prey unlike a peacock.

 

[matter1331]

cool, thanks for the information, still pretty green when it comes to mantis

 

[justinl]

no worries matt, we all have to start somewhere. Just surf the web for info on these guys... they are amazing!

 

[TitansFan]

Well Just for an update...
I had decided to try a yellow-tail damsel. Everything was fine as it should be when you have a mantis hiding for a molt. Well, the mantis came out 2 days ago. I fed him some krill which he happily took. This morning I guess he was still hungry as the damsel has disappeared. I was always abit worried for the damsel as it liked to hang out near one of the cave entrances the mantis has made. I hope the guy enjoyed his $5 meal...

 

[yankeereefer]

Your problem may that you're you're not feeding enough.

I have a wennerae in a modded 5g - He's had a yellow tail damsel as roommate for almost 3 mos

Originally I bought the fish for a mantis snack. He's eaten one once before. He hasn't expressed interest thus far.

Could be though because I buy and turn loose a dozen or so snails every couple weeks. I also feed krill, fresh-frozen raw shrimp and Rod's Food (meaty frozen mix) 1-2x week.

Yankee

 

[TitansFan]

I spoke to soon I came home form work and there was the damsel

Yankee what kind of snails do you buy for yours?

 

[justinl]

the live food best suited for small mantis species like N. wennerae include all thin shelled snails like nassarius (that's what i choose) and small hermits like blue legs. cheap is good

Don't bother with large snails like turbos or conches because their shells are too thick for an N. wennerae. My G. smithii has not bothered my two conches or my astreas. within a week he decimated my nassarius snails and hermits.

 

[Shekki]

I have my Chiraga (Osama) in a 24 gallon with 2 Damsels (lunch and dinner) and a Royal Dottyback. The Dottyback has a burrow right next to Osama's house. Judging by the number of hermit crab shells by his cave, he seems to be OK.

 

[dragonforce]

Blah, don't listen to these fools!, You could probably keep a pair of clowns with it, that species stays small.