Detritus eater

[Ab3]

Whats a good detritus eater for my 10g mantis tank

 

[Pea-brain]

Brittle stars survive moderately well...or was it serpent stars? I think both are detritus eaters but stay away from the green ones. They've been known to be predatory.

 

[luscien]

fighting conch
luscien

 

[dragonforce]

I would agree with the fighting conch

 

[iCam]

A ten gallon tank would probably not be an ideal habitat for a conch.

 

[Opcn]

Fighting Conchs only get 4 inches.

 

[Ab3]

Ive had my mantis for over a week now and Ive only been feeding it hermits and snails and 1 mithrax crab and 1 damsel. I ust noticed theres a hermit shell he hasnt been able to crack. Does this mean he is going to molt soon? What should I feed him if he does? Is it ok for me to leave pieces of the mithrax's carapace that he didnt eat in the tank?

 

[Thurge]

It doesn't necessarily mean the mantis is going to molt. Each mantis species has evolved to prey on specific things. So you may have a lightly armed mantis trying to crack open a heavily shelled hermit. I have a hermit in with Squirtle that he hasn't been able to crack open.
When your mantis goes into molt you want to leave it alone. It will probably close its burrow up one day. When it does RESIST the urge to check on the mantis as this can stress it. It will be totally fine skipping a week or two of meals.
Leaving the crab pieces will probably lead to water quality issues.

 

[DanInSD]

Getting back on track of the OP, I've tried a serpent star to little or no effect. I'm now trying a pencil urchin and small cucumber. So far so good (with 4" peacock).

Dan

 

[Ab3]

K are there any other signs to look for before a molt. His hits do seem and sound weaker, maybe its just my imagination.