Almost there

[psychodave]

Ok, Ive got a 30 gallon tank cycling right now with about 12.5 lbs of live rock, ill probably add a few more chunks of base rock in there once i get it washed and what not. Perhaps a few corals to make it look nice. Has anyone encountered any problems with mantis and corals?

Id like to get an active species, one that doesnt hide all day. Any one have any suggestions? Id really like a G. Smithii, but as long as it doesnt hide thats fine. With a 30 Gal tank I should be able to house whatever I come across, right?

My local LFS is now special ordering Mantis shrimp, but they dont ask for specific species. They have in stock an 8 inch Odontodactylus scyllarus, a zeebra/tiger mantis i think its a Lysiosquillina glabriuscula its about 5-6 inches id say...and then they have a green one, not sure what kind it is, I noticed a bit of yellow on its raptorial appendages and around its head its about 4-5 inches but it curreled itself into a ball and hid from me...any ideas on the last one?

 

[Gonodactylus]

An eight inch O. scyllarus would be a world record. The largest I have ever seen was just about 7 inches - tip of eyes to tip of telson.

A 30 gallon system is a bit small for a large O. scyllarus.

Roy

 

[psychodave]

Ahh, well maby its not that big...it looks bigger than my hand...i dunno, its big though.

I wasnt planning on getting the O. scyllarus, they are beautiful animals, but a bit large for my taste. Im looking for something between 3.4 inches to 5 inches...thank you for the responce though

oh yeah, forgot to mention...there were 3 holes in its shell, about the size of a grain of rice near its tail, any ideas as to what that could be?

 

[Gonodactylus]

Large O. scyllarus are prone to shell disease. I would stay clear of this animal. If the disease penetrates the cuticle, it will have trouble molting.

Roy