Future Mantis Shrimp owner

[IAIN -Y-]

Hello, I'm a newbie so be nice!

I'm a new to the forum and to also to become an aquarium keeper. I want to eventually keep a Odontodactylus scyllarus (Peacock mantis shrimp) but I know I can't jut jump straight in because I know nothing.

I am currently researching about this species and everything to do with keeping marine animals.

Everyone has to start at some point so I was wondering in order to eventually keep this specie what would be the best way to go about it? i.e.

Recommended books/sites about this specie and general marine aquariums.

Any help would be appriciated,

Iain.

 

[IAIN -Y-]

I am currently reading 'Your first marine aquarium' by Tullock, J.H. 1998.

I would also like personal opinions on the best tank, food, clean up crew etc.

(Sorry had to post again because I can't edit the original post)

 

[gemini aquarius(t)]

Hello.
There are many options you have in building an aquarium.
1. tank size. there are tons of different tanks and sizes. i would recommend a 40g tank for a peacock mantis
2. flow. there is alot of options on that, you get to decide.
3.light. keep it subdued. peacocks cant handle that.
4.filtration. i would like to think that a skimmer is necessary. mantis' are very messy eaters and you should be ready for their waste.
5. substrate. up to you, but i think a coarser gravel would be best.

there is more.. just keep researching. you are off to a great start

 

[geffhardy2]

What I did to start was not get a Peacock for my first mantis shrimp. I went with a spearer instead of a smasher for my first time around. I made my choice because when doing research!!Their were a few more things to concider with Peacocks. It recommened you have a acrilic sheet on the bottom of your tank with a Peacocks because they sometimes smash the bottom of the tank trying to dig deeper . Light can be a problem because some mantis shrimp are more likely to get shell infection because the light is to strong. And as far for your clean up crew. Your Peacock could choose to smash and eat them if he wants to. Mantis shrimp need good filtration because they can be slopy eaters. My mantis eats the heads off live shrimp and then will come out his burrow to put the remains of the shrimp in holes he digs around the tank.


Here is my Pseudosquilla Ciliata mantis shrimp

 

[micstarz]

Mantis shrimp are not beginner animals. If you are looking for a first saltwater pet, please get your feet wet with something hardier and with demands easily met. Try keeping hardy fish for around a month after your aquarium has cycled before you even think about it.

 

[mdavis203]

Probably the most important link in the mantis shrimp world:

Roy's List

Read, read, read. But they're awesome creatures to keep. But they have very specific requirements and limitations.

 

[MaddKatt]

What exactly constitutes high light? I'm just setting up my first tank and all the subjective care requirements aren't helping. I have an all glass 10 gal, 10w Coralife 50/50 screw-in, 13w 6500k GE screw-in, and a 26w 6500k GE screw-in on a table lamp (the bulb was too big for my hood). Is that "low", "low moderate"?

Be prepared for this to drain way more many than you expect. "Oh I'll just buy this $35USD tank, all I need is a heater, a little sand and rock, salt, and some testing stuff." $300 later and I have a glorious.. tank with rocks in it.

 

[micstarz]

It's not even about the rocks.

 

[IAIN -Y-]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14852829#post14852829 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gemini aquarius(t)
Hello.
There are many options you have in building an aquarium.
1. tank size. there are tons of different tanks and sizes. i would recommend a 40g tank for a peacock mantis
2. flow. there is alot of options on that, you get to decide.
3.light. keep it subdued. peacocks cant handle that.
4.filtration. i would like to think that a skimmer is necessary. mantis' are very messy eaters and you should be ready for their waste.
5. substrate. up to you, but i think a coarser gravel would be best.

there is more.. just keep researching. you are off to a great start

I know a little about the basics such as the size of the tank, use acrylic because they are heavy digger's. Thank you, I am also currently reading the topics in this forum too. I have also started to read 'Saltwater Aquariums for dummies' Skomal, G. 2007.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14852861#post14852861 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by geffhardy2
What I did to start was not get a Peacock for my first mantis shrimp. I went with a spearer instead of a smasher for my first time around. I made my choice because when doing research!!Their were a few more things to concider with Peacocks. It recommened you have a acrilic sheet on the bottom of your tank with a Peacocks because they sometimes smash the bottom of the tank trying to dig deeper . Light can be a problem because some mantis shrimp are more likely to get shell infection because the light is to strong. And as far for your clean up crew. Your Peacock could choose to smash and eat them if he wants to. Mantis shrimp need good filtration because they can be slopy eaters. My mantis eats the heads off live shrimp and then will come out his burrow to put the remains of the shrimp in holes he digs around the tank.

Here is my Pseudosquilla Ciliata mantis shrimp

I know about the acrylic and shell disease which may be caused by lighting. I also realise that he could eat my clean up crew, depending on size because their not stupid. P.S. That's a nice one

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14853390#post14853390 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by micstarz
Mantis shrimp are not beginner animals. If you are looking for a first saltwater pet, please get your feet wet with something hardier and with demands easily met. Try keeping hardy fish for around a month after your aquarium has cycled before you even think about it.

That is what I am going to do. Firstly I am going to get either some fish or an easier shrimp to start off with because I know there are a lot more considerations when it comes to Peacock Mantis shrimps.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14853463#post14853463 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mdavis203
Probably the most important link in the mantis shrimp world:

Roy's List

Read, read, read. But they're awesome creatures to keep. But they have very specific requirements and limitations.

I have read that previously and considering to get a Gonodactylus smithii before I get a Peacock Mantis shrimp.

Thanks for your help, If you recommend anything else don't hesistate to post

Iain.

 

[micstarz]

That is what I am going to do. Firstly I am going to get either some fish or an easier shrimp to start off with because I know there are a lot more considerations when it comes to Peacock Mantis shrimps.
Iain. [/B]

Thank you

I think what I said was partially true but also due to personal traumatic experiences... :mixed:

Start with crabs, because if you feed them pellets, they can be messy and simulate the bioload of a mantis shrimp, as well as be your mantis's first live food. Start with an animal that is hardy but is easy to net out (Again, crabs). A damsel or a clownfish is very hard to net out in a fully decorated tank. I'd sooner be able to catch the Loch Ness Monster with my bare hands than be able to net out a damsel...

You might want to consider G. glabrous. They are somewhat rare, but they have amazing coloring. My own, as well as Mentat's and some other people's G. glabrous' have had very interesting coloring.

 

[Mentat]

Re: Future Mantis Shrimp owner

Hello Iain! Lots of help and not all agree LOL. That is normal, since there are many different Mantis and housing requirements vary. You can keep a Peacock, only thing to think about before deciding is it's adult size and the larger required system compared to smaller Mantis. Depending upon the area available for a larger tank (40-50 gal. for a Peacock) and your available funding, it might be doable, or not.

Mdavis203 already gave you the link to Dr. Roy's excellent site. Also, you can find additional links in the flagged thread section and can read this article for some more basic stuff, A Load of Learning About Mantis Shrimp.

First thing is to learn the theory and basics and appears you are doing that now. Then, decide on the type of Mantis to get after getting some basic knowledge based on your likes and availability. Afterwards comes the practical learning as you go along. Don't worry much about killing your little friend, Mantis are pretty hardy as long as the basics are met.

IRT set-up (for a single Mantis), well initially you have to:

- Source a tank (with cover) and a stand or sturdy furniture (water weighs around 8.5 lbs. per gallon plus substrate and rocks) to place it on. Ensure that it's level before filling tank with water. As stated, an acrylic sheet layed on bottom will protect glass tank from a digging Mantis (not required if tank is acrylic or plastic undergravel filter in use).

- A light source to view Mantis is cool, but not essential (at least to Mantis) in a bright room. A very bright light might make Mantis reclusive and even damage it.

- A filter or pump to provide some kind of flow and move water around. This can be as simple as an undergravel filter & pump to power it or an appropriate sized power filter. IMO a comprehensive sump-skimmer set-up is not required; since Mantis are pretty clean eaters (do not overfeed) and their poop is watery. Filter media will stay clean for a long time in a species only tank (again, do not overfeed). If you add other creatures, consider their filter requirements accordingly.

- A plastic or titanium heater, if required, not glass for obvious reasons.

- Substrate (according to species natural habitat), live rock and rubble for Mantis to live and play. Search "live rock" and learn lots about it since it's a part of your bio-system. "Dead" rock or "uncured" rock must be "cured" by itself until all Ammonia and Nitrite readings are zero. Also, all large rock work should be set on tank bottom before adding substrate. A few Mantis have perished when their digging created a rock avalanche above them. Some members set-up tanks with caves (PVC pipe sections) etc. but many Mantis prefer to build their own and ignore them LOL.

- If you search "setting-up a tank" should get lots of info on how-to "cycle tank" and establish the beneficial bacteria in filter. Recommend you cycle tank before adding Mantis, but if not possible, use Seachem's Stability per directions during first week and tank should cycle with no damage to Mantis.

Well, this should help get you on your way to a great Mantis relationship, good luck!

 

[mdavis203]

If I were to recommend a "starter" mantis, I'd say Neogonodactylus wennerae from everything I've read. They're inexpensive, readily available, and hardy. With you not having much saltwater experience, this would be a good choice.

Also, they don't require as large a tank as others. You could start with him in something as small as 5 gallons. If you are successful, and decide you still want your peacock, then you could set up a larger tank for him.

Then you'd have two mantis tanks!

 

[micstarz]

Yes, and then eventually he'd become a stomatopodaholic

Edit: Like everyone else here