Friendly Mantis'

[Tobman]

So what's up with all the hype about how bad mantis shrimp are - other forums of course? I've got one that is 2.5 to 3 inches long and seems to happily coexist with a Peppermint shrimp, a Pistol shrimp, two serpent stars, 2 red Mithrax, and numerous fish. Although come to think of it I have not seen the smaller of the 2 Mithrax crabs recently. He's clearly eaten some snails, but they can be easily replaced.

He's a bit creepy looking, but also beautiful, with his beady eyes swiveling around, slinking around the rock work and peering around corners. I could get him out, as his main home is inside one of the upper rocks, but I like him/her.

I hand feed him once a week or so - frozen shrimp and silversides. He darts out of his hiding spot and grabs the meat.

I've never seen him eat anything live in the tank, just the shell remains ...

 

[Pea-brain]

What happens is people get mantis shrimp and don't realize they are there while the tank cycles. Then, after a month or two of starving a fish swims by and the mantis can't help butgo full out after it. If people fed all hitch hiking mantis shrimp there would be little dangers with fish. Most shrimp are in danger and I am moderately surprised yours survive like that, but mantises vary so much. You mentioned yours is secretive? maybe we can ID it for you if you can get some pics....

Dan

 

[Tobman]

I knew he was there from the start and have been feeding him ever since. He's way cool.

 

[Guygettnby]

my 2 mantis live together and they have a hitch hiker crab living with them as well as some snails. every oncne in awhile they eat the snails but they dont bother each other. the crab was supposed to be food....LOL....

 

[G.SMITHII]

Yea, my smithii lives with 2 fish.

it took him about 6 months to get my peppermint shrimp. but my cleaner shrimp is still around. (seems to be a lil smarter too.)

i had 2 mynthrax crabs, but he took them out at like 2 and four months into bein in his tank.

good luck!

and GO BRONCOS!!

 

[Thurge]

One of the big advantages Peppermint shrimp have is they are nocturnal. So when the mantis is out roaming aournd they are probably hole up and then when themantis is sleeping the shrimp are out roaming hte tank.

 

[tush]

i have one too... bout 2.5'' long and a brown/green colour..he lives in the highest point in my rocks, and it freaks my LFS guys when i tell them about him. (thats why i named him frankenstien - frankie for short)
I wouldnt hand feed him, but i spot feed him like Tobman..i dont see anything missing, just hermit crabs.
i consider him a great part of the tank.