Ball's mantis shrimp chronicles

[Ball]

I thought I would detail my Mantis tank here with a diray, as I dont see a lot of them in this forum. Hope you enjoy.


11-28-05 ... So I already have the tank setup and running. Usually with my tank diaries, I go through all the details of setting up the tank and all the equipment. Well, this time it didn't work out that way and I'm starting this diary with the tank about 70% setup already. I don't have a Mantis in the tank or anything living in it at the moment.

I did pickup some live rock and a 250W Metal Halide light from a local reefer that was leaving the hobby. I had a spare 10 gallon tank to use as a sump and a lot of spare fittings. I setup the tank fairly quick and before I even know what hit me, I had a functioning tank. I still have a few equipment additions and changes to make, but nothing major.

The tank is roughly 30 gallons (36 x 13 x 16) and made of acrylic. It has a built in overflow and a blue background built in. Its a really nice tank.

So, here are the first few pictures of the start of this project. The first shots are just to give the general idea of the setup. More detailed shots will come later. I know this project will evolve quite a bit, but you will have to stay tuned to see how it turns out.


First glimpse of the new Mantis tank.

Tank, stand (I built), and sump.

Sump. Still needs the skimmer and to be setup in a more clean looking arrangement.

 

[Ball]

12-08-05 ... I have a vision for this tank. I want to have have a tank full of Fiji Yellow Leathers. That's it. Oh, and the Mantis of course. I did a quick and dirty Photoshop rendition of what the tank could look like. Hey, we all gotta dream huh?


Vision of what I want for this tank. I even Photoshopped in a Mantis.

 

[Ball]

12-29-05 ... Finally! I just received my Mantis today! Its a 4 inch Peacock Mantis. Very beautiful. He was fairly feisty. He struck the side of the container he was in while I was dumping him in the tank. It was funny.

I later put in the feeding stick I use to feed my puffer and eel. He immediately went for it and smacked it around like there should have been food on the end. I think the previous owners must have fed him this way. So, I got a piece of shrimp and stuck it on the end of the stick and proceeded to try and feed him A couple quick smacks later, the shrimp was off the stick and he was eating. Yeah! I also tried with a silverside. He gave that a couple hard blows and then left it alone. He must like his own kind, for meals.

Anyway, I'm sure I will be posting TONS of pictures of this guy. He is so neat. I like him more than I thought I would. For now, I will leave you with a few close ups I got tonight.



Say hello to the new Mantis. I still a need a name for him

Striking a pose.

Going after a silverside

Whack! Action shot of him striking the poor dead fish with his mighty orange club.

Victory!

 

[Absint Reefer]

Sweet mantis and very good pics

 

[Gonodactylus]

Looks like a female unless the color temperature is off.

 

[Ball]

Color is pretty close. Can mantis change their color depending on light, stress, or any other factors? How do you tell if its female? Is there any difference in behavior betweens males and females? Thanks.

 

[Gonodactylus]

Many species of stomatopod change color depending on ambient light. O. scyllarus do a bit, but not like P. ciliata or some gonodactylids. That said, O. scyllarus from different habitats to vary some with color. This is particularly true of females that can very from reddish brown to green. Large mature males, however, almost always assume the familiar emerald green color. The one sure way to determine the sex is to look for gonopods on the smale. These are a pair of penises that hang down from the inside of the last pair of walking legs. They are about a third as long as the leg. There is another difference between the colors of mature males and females that I have challenged O. scyllarus keepers to find, but so far no one has reported it.

The behavior of males and females is nearly identical. Very large males do have slightly larger raptorial appendages, but it is hardly noticable.

Roy

 

[Ball]

Thanks for your help. I will get some full body shots as well as other angles. That is if he/she will pose for me.

 

[rwhhunt]

I would suggest making sure "she" has a DARK secure burrow like PVC with those BRIGHT 250W MH Lights! Dr Roy has mentioned that to bright of lighting may increase the chances of shell disease and possibly decrease her exposure from her burrow....

 

[Ball]

There are a few good shaded areas. I only have the lights on for about 4 hours a day, so I wouldnt think that would be to much light. Plus, Im using a 14K bulb and have the light a good 12+" from the water surface.

I would be interested to hear what exactly "to" much light would be for this species. I dont want to harm the animal.

 

[rwhhunt]

sounds like your taking good precautions, I have heard from Dr Roy that it is the O. scyllarus that we both have that is most affected since they are a deeper water species... But as far as what consitutes "too" much, I am not completely sure....

 

[Ball]

12-29-05 ... The Mantis is settling in nicely. He has built a home under one of the rocks. This is a very interesting creature to watch. So enjoyable. I'll leave you with a couple more shots.


Full shot of Mantis

Action shot of the Mantis swimming away.

 

[guitar_lord]

Nice pictures!!!
Those suckers are pretty creepy lookin' I dont think I want one of those!
haha

 

[Ball]

1-17-06 ... Nothing to much going on with the tank. The Mantis is doing well.

I think I might have a name for her. I will call her "Goddess Scylla". According to legend, Scylla was turned into a monster that was human to the waist, but below that were biting snapping dogs. She sat on the Italian side of the straits of Messina gobbling up anything that came within her reach. I thought that description kind of fits a Mantis shrimp in a way.

Anyway, I took a really quick video of Scylla. Nothing to exciting, but more of an introduction.


Click here for video
5.3MB in WMV format.