clownfish chasing mantis shrimp

[lionbacker54]

so i got a mantis shrimp from a local reefer who found it in her live rock, and added it to my 9g which has 1 ocellaris and a small clean up crew. i was a little worried that the mantis might hurt the clown, but i noticed that the clown sleeps on top of the water. since i'd read that mantis (smashing types anyways) typically only get fish which sleep on the floor, i thought it'd be ok.

much to my surprise, the exact opposite has happened. as soon as it added the mantis, the clownfish started harassing it and chasing it around until it found a little hole in the rock to hide in. although the mantis shrimp is small, it is actually a little larger than the clown. i have not seen the little guy since.

who knew clownfish were so mighty? or maybe my mantis is just a coward?

http://s430.photobucket.com/albums/qq24/lionbacker54/

 

[adtravels]

Does not sound a very ethical 'experiment'.

 

[elegance coral]

:thumbdown

 

[Chihuahua6]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14182206#post14182206 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by adtravels
Does not sound a very ethical 'experiment'.

Here we go again.

 

[rkelman]

Nice Mantis for sure. I'd remove it from that tank though. Maybe pickup a 10g tank for him. Mantis are predators and it will eventually kill your Clownfish.

 

[elegance coral]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14183901#post14183901 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rkelman
Nice Mantis for sure. I'd remove it from that tank though. Maybe pickup a 10g tank for him. Mantis are predators and it will eventually kill your Clownfish.

And your clean up crew.

 

[dalilgriffith]

and anything else in the tank.

 

[adtravels]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14183717#post14183717 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chihuahua6
Here we go again.

please explain

 

[crysis]

Hey lionbacker...Im having the same issue. lol Tyson wont come out of his burrow now after introduction of my 2 clowns. They look at each other, but hes kinda in hiding right now. And a smashing mantis wont go try and chase down fish if you keep him fed. They arent going after quick moving things if they have snails to eat, or if you feed them non-live food as well as the typical mantis treats.

 

[phaedraeos]

I love it when people give someone crap without providing any useful information or even explaining themselves.

There are two types of mantis shrimp - smashers and spearers. The smashers primarily eat invertebrates such as crabs and snails, and the spearers primarily eat fish. Based on their hunting methods, it is very, very unlikely that a smashing mantis will hunt or eat a fish. Of course, this will all depend on the size of the mantis v. the size of the fish, the species of mantis, and how long the mantis has gone without eating.

I think the first thing you should do is go here - http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthropoda/crustacea/malacostraca/eumalacostraca/royslist/ - and figure out exactly what type of mantis you have. If it is a spearer, I'd remove it as soon as possible.

Second, be prepared - mantis shrimp are messy eaters. You'll almost certainly have to do bi-weekly water changes (at minimum) to keep the mantis well fed, and the water quality up to par with what's necessary to keep your corals happy.

Based on my mantis experience (which isn't much, but it's something), I think that your set up could work if you have a smasher that won't grow more than 2.5" in length, max. But make sure to test your water every 2-3 days, keep him well fed, and research him thoroughly before you decide to keep him in that tank long term!

 

[NCSUsalt]

his mantis looks like a peacock. smasher

 

[Roggio]

What ended up happening??? Are they both still alive? I was thinking about doing this combo in my 30g

 

[usatennisfan]

I've never had problems with my clowns chasing any of my mantis and I have one in every tank with a pair of clowns. I think your issue is a little different. With such a small tank, 9 gallons, your clown has made the entire tank her territory. I don't think you will have a problem with a peacock going after your clown but the mantis absolutely has to have a bigger tank- no ifs ands or buts about it.

 

[slosht]

I had a smaller mantis N. Wennerae in with a clownfish and they stuck to themselves. One night when the clown was sleeping the mantis got her. This clown always slept up at the top of the tank too. So my advice is don't do it.

 

[usatennisfan]

Right now I have a yasha goby and a chalk bass in with my 2" N. wennerae with no problems. All depends on the personality of your mantis and how well you keep it fed.