breeding mantis/octo food?

[joeyd]

I'm getting tired of hunting for cheap food or paying high prices for good food for both my mantis and my octo. I plan on getting another mantis soon and probably another octo so it makes sense for me to breed my own food.....I'm just not sure what would be best. Both critters seem to like peppermint shrimp just fine, but it's more fun to watch the mantis destroy a crab. I've found an Asian market that sells periwinkles and the mantis loves them, but the octo only eats them as a last resort......similar to ghost shrimp.

Being in Houston, I can run down to the gulf and catch blue crabs (first choice of food) all day long, as well as various types of shrimp but I'm not sure how to go about breeding them and even if it's feasible.

Any thoughts or experienced input is appreciated.