First mantis tank.

[Jambi]

I have a few leftover 10 gallons and some PC retrofits, so I think I wanna set up a mantis tank. My LFS only has two species in stock, which are Gonodactylaceus ternatensis and Gonodactylus platysoma

The Teratensis could have possibly been a Smithiii, but I remember it looking darker in color. I'de have to go look again.


Teratensis

Platysoma

Has anyone ever had experience with these before? What is a good diet for them? Ive never had a mantis before, so how often do you feed them? Is keeping my water at 78-79 degrees ok for the mantis? Can I keep the lights on the same time as I would with a normal reef?

And most importantly, will either of these mantis's survive (hapilly) in a 10g tank? I'de rather have no mantis at all than a unhealthy, unactive and unhappy mantis.

BTW if anyone is interested, all of these are located at Roozens nursery and fish store in MD. They also have a peacock that is literally the size of..... a hotdog bun (thats the first thing that came to mind). Literally. Good prices too, all the mantis's are 28$ (the peacock is 100 because its so massive) http://roozens.com/

~Matt

 

[Pea-brain]

Get the ternatensis. More active (generally). A good diet would consist of 3 or more frozen marine meats. Shrimp, krill, silversides etc. Soak in selcon once a week for good health. Feed a live shelled animal for excercise at least once a month, but a few hermits and snails roaming the tank at all times would be a good thing. Feed once every 2-3 days. More than that and the mantis will be fat and won't some out much. Temp should be fine, normal lighting schedule, and you can even keep corals in with the mantis, although it will move them if it wants so they need to be glued down and ternatensis may burrow in stony corals. good luck.

Dan

 

[Jambi]

Thank you very much, the one at the store is very small so he should be fine in the tank?

 

[Pea-brain]

If you look at roy's list it says a 10 gallon will be fine for a full grown ternatensis. Shouldn't be a problem.

Dan