Am I doing this right?

[rogerwells]

I have had a wennerae in a 12 gallon nano for about 3 months now...i feed him about once every two weeks with krill from a straw, and about once a month i give him something live out of my 29 gallon for him to eat.

I just feel like im not feeing him enough, or doing enough to keep him alive.

He seems to be thriving in the 12 gallon, i see him when i turn on the lights every morning.

...is there more i should be doing?

 

[andromedia226]

You may want to feed him more often, maybe once every two or three DAYS, not weeks. While mantis shrimp can survive for weeks without food does not mean you should withhold food. Additionally, won't he have nutrient problems when he finally does molt?

Also, if you're going to feed him so infrequently, at least vary the food to make sure it gets a more rounded nutrient source.

BTW, if he looks happy, he's either starved and thus out and about in search of food a lot, or he's killing things in your tank like clean up crew, hitchhikers, etc.

 

[rogerwells]

yeah...i actually drop in live things for him to eat quite frequently...i have no problem with him eating the live stuff...thats how i know hes not starving to death...cause there is at least two snails for him to eat at all times along with a large emerald crab.

i just remembered hearing not to over feed.

 

[Pea-brain]

Overfeeding isn't a huge problem except for the water quality. If I were you I'd feed twice a week. I feed mine every day because I'm trying to help him molt so he can have his rapts back but after that I'm only feeding twice a week.

 

[justinl]

Twice a week would be a good routine in a 12gal for a mantis. I agree with giving live food but don't over do it. The mantis doesn't need a constant flow of them. At least once a month he'll need a crab or something shelled. The main diet should be varied frozens like squid, silversides or shrimp (yay for cheap food from the grocery store). I would also soak the frozens in selcon once in a while. Maybe once every two weeks or so.