a couple of O.scyllarus questions

[PeteK]

Hi everyone, i have some questions about keeping O. scyllarus that i haven't seen answered in this forum or in the Lurker's Guide...
What size is appropriate for an adult scyllarus? I guess the best answer is, the biggest i can afford, what's the "practical" answer? 10G? 20 High? 20 Long? 30G?
What's a good substrate? Fine sand? mix of Fine sand and larger crushed coral? small crushed shells/coral?
I know they need a (preferably) dark burrow... Black pvc is what i've read is a good choice... How wide? Just snug for it's body width? 2X body width? Wider? Do you coat the inside with sand (using epoxy to hold it to the surface- obviously used after it has set/cured)? Is that even necessary? Do you rough it up a bit (with sandpaper) if you don't use the glued sand?
Is the burrow preferably underground or do they accept it above the substrate, piled over with large pieces of rock, made snug with smaller pieces... ?
If they do prefer it underground, how deep of a sandbed? i guess as deep as the pipe is high?
If you do provide a pvc pipe for a burrow, does it matter how long it is? What about the shape? U-tube? straight piece with curved piece for an entrance? Does it even matter?
Do mantis shrimp recognize cleaner shrimp for something other than food, ie. as cleaners?
Thank you all in advance for any answers you might be able to give!
-PeteK

 

[BLockamon]

I can't say this is the best, but it's what I have:

1) 30 gallon Oceanic cube (minimum size I'd recommend)

2) I use crushed coral. O scyllarus don't really dig in the sand.

3) I use black ABS pipe. I think I use 3.5" or 4" pipe. I've got 2x 45-degree elbows and 2x 90 degree elbows (one of each is a street, so they slip fit without needing pipe). That gives a total length about 3x the body length.

4) No sand; no sandpaper. He drug in some sand on his own.

5) My burrow is made as a U, with the two 45-degree elbows causing the ends to slope up. I covered the burrow up to the opening with crushed coral and piled rocks on top of it.

6) Dr. Roy once mentioned that they usually have a U-shapped burrow in the wild. Length is maybe 3x the body length; maybe 7-8" deep. Mine only misses on the depth.

7) Haven't tried cleaner shrimp; wouldn't recommend it.

 

[justinl]

minimum for an adult is 25 gal. Acrylic would be best but you could get away with a thick glass tank like a biocube. line the bottom of the tank with acrylic if you go with the biocube.

my favourite substrate is the non-abrasive oolitic (sugar sized) sand. general smasher habitat means LR, sand bed of 2-3 inches, rubble (peasized rocks)

Im not a big fan of pvc in my display but if you go that way, use the black pvc and make sure the diameter is only a bit bigger than the mantids width. they are very flexible.

shrimp = food.