Compatible with a Peacock Mantis?

[subarcticreef]

I am fortunate enough to have found a Peacock Mantis at my local LFS that I will pick up tomorrow. It will live in a dedicated nano aquarium but it would be great if I could have something there to keep him company, preferentially something that will do some cleaning up. One species I have been considering is an Aplysia. On the other hand, people that I have talked to say that a peacock is only compatible with LS, it kills/eats everything else. So, what should I do?

 

[dismalorb]

Re: Compatible with a Peacock Mantis?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10698160#post10698160 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by subarcticreef
I am fortunate enough to have found a Peacock Mantis at my local LFS that I will pick up tomorrow. It will live in a dedicated nano aquarium but it would be great if I could have something there to keep him company, preferentially something that will do some cleaning up. One species I have been considering is an Aplysia. On the other hand, people that I have talked to say that a peacock is only compatible with LS, it kills/eats everything else. So, what should I do?

When you say "nano", how nano are you talking?

I dunno on the Sea Hare. Don't they release a toxic ink that would be rather unpleasant for the PMS?

If I were you, I would look through the last six years of posts and see how other people's Peacocks have dealt with tankmates. It can sometimes be more effective than posting the question.

I'm not saying this to be a jerk to you at all, but to mention that sometimes you'll really only get a few replies with very generalized information.

To answer your question though, don't worry too much about getting a tankmate or the mantis being lonely. Just worry about keeping the nutrient levels down in the tank. A 'clean-up crew' will essentially become the mantis' food supply and vice-versa. So you kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.

Your best bet is to go to eBay and search for REEF SNAILS or REEF CRABS, and get a bulk supply of them. Even with the shipping costs, they're ridiculously cheap. If you get alot, just don't add 50-100 of them to the tank all at once!

You can even trade some into the LFS for other cool stuff.

I hope this helps...

 

[Thurge]

I tried a Sea Hare with one of my mantis, different species, and he found it to be quite tasty.

 

[Pea-brain]

An algae eater that has been successfully kept is the common molly from petco or whatever acclimated to saltwater. It only take about 4 hours and they are like 3$. Also, they are great algae eaters. Other things that tend to do well: serpent stars (Probably the least likely to be killed), urchins (2nd least likely) and thats all I can think of. Also, I would also like to know how nano you are talking. A full grown peacock shouldn't be in less than a 25 gallon.

Dan

 

[BWT]

Mantis buddies

Mantis buddies

If you were inquiring about fish, then almost any aggresive or semi aggressive one will do. First hand experiance for me includes a blue damsel, a maroone clown with rose anemone, and a six line wrasse. The mantis in question is a 5" peacock.

 

[MAGDRL Mom]

My Peacock lives in a 55 with a tuxedo urchin and lots of hermits and snails. He was in a 20L before the 55. Before the transfer to the 55, he did some traveling around the tank, but he is much happier in the 55. He is constantly making new tunnels to connect to his den. We do have an ongoing fight about where I want my zoas so I will be using epoxy to put them where I want them. He prefers the zoa frag rubble to the unadorned rubble.

Bottom line, your Mantis will be happier and you will receive lots more enjoyment over his antics in a larger aquarium.