found what I was looking for almost

newbie

New member
Well I've been trying to find a interesting creature for my office and I was searching around and saw this forum. I think this would be a fun animal to watch at work(what the boss dont know wont hurt me). I was thinking of using a 10ag,I've been reading and I know a large one could and prob would in my case break it, but could it live in it if it was a small one till after my house is completed(around 5mo) and I could then move him to a 46gal when I upgrade my reef tank. What kind of filtration is used and is LS ok to use or is it to fine?Lighting?any other animals live with it? And what is the best colored mantis? any pics?

Really glad this is here or I might not of ever seen these, my LFS was very surprised when I asked them if they ever get them for sale. Sorry this is it the last ? where is a good place to get one other than the LFS?
Once again THANKS for all your help......
 
hi newbie, welcome to rc mantis forum!

you should be ok if you get a little one and try and grow it until the large tank is ready.

i use a fine crushed coral for substrate and live rock and a cannister for filtration but you could probably do partial water changes regularly.
mantis very rarely break glass tanks but a 10gal tank has thin glass but i would use it for a little mantis.
im not sure how you would get one over in america (im from australia) but someone else here might be able to help.

look at moviegeeks site for mantis pics or go to www.blueboard.com.
 
I use a deep sand bed in my planned mantis tank and it works great. He lives in one piece of rock and has burrowed through it and under, developing quite an elaborate burrow. For filtration I would recommend a good power filter and weekly 20% water changes, maybe a millenium filter. I never have tried lighting a 10 gallon but go with what you can afford while trying to keep the wattage/spectrum of light as good as possible. Try posting on the regular board for lighting suggestions. Most people keep peacock mantis, not sure of the scientific name. Myself, living in Hawaii, I keep Gonodactylaceus mutatus, Philippine mantis and Pseudosquilla ciliata, Ciliated mantis. The philippine are much more colorful, they look like a peacock mantis, but tend to be more skittish than the ciliated. Ciliated are supposed to change color to match their surroundings, the ones I catch out here are all a sandy color. I keep both mantis, with both having a max size of about 4", but am starting to prefer the ciliated, as when I see them out they will still go about their business, not run to a hole and hide. I have watched the one in my 20g take out many a blue-eyed crab.
 
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