G. smithii care

[Moonstream]

I have decided that I want a G. smithii and I was wondering what their care would be like?

I read Dr. Roy's page on them, and I think that it sounds like my tank setup would work well for one.

right now I have an eclispe system 6 setup with rock on the back wall and a BB (which I eventually plan to switch to sand). I have a small koralia that provides good water movement and a small light as well as some macro algae.

eventually I plan to add in some soft corals and some more coral rubble on the bottom of the tank.

I am planning to keep an astrea snail, nass. or cerith snail and a hermit in the tank at all times so that the mantis will always have fod (and they cen help to clean up). I would also feed a small emerald crab once a month or so, and maybe I might catch some grass shrimp at the beach for a summer treat.

water changes would be 2-3g or so every week.

 

[gharner]

smithiis are pretty difficult to find. if you can find one some where, they live the same as most other small mantids....in a den in live rock or built with rubble rock. i would feed it flake food, mysis, and live....switch it up every few days (they like variety in their diet just like us). you'll need to keep up on water changes as well. i would get as much live rock as possible too....it is great at filtering (preferably six pounds or more). because smithiis are so tough to find, you may want to look into some other specieas that are active, more common, and have similar care requirements as a smithii. i would personally recomend N. wennerae. they are a beautiful, active, small mantis and they are extremely common as well.

 

[Moonstream]

I have decided to get a frogfish for this tank, my plan is to get a smaller species, and I will be doing weekly 50% water changes and weekly 1g water changes if needed (between the large water changes).

 

[phaedraeos]

I just got a g smithii about a month ago, and I was wondering if anyone knew what their lifespan was?

Moonstream - you're going to put the frogfish in with the mantis? Or keep him by himself?

 

[gharner]

moonstream isnt getting a mantis any more, just a frog fish. i believe their life span is up to 6 years, but im not positive. you may want to check with Dr. Roy

 

[Moonstream]

yep, just planning to get the frogfish, because I am thinking that a froggy and a mantis arent going to do so great together, LOL.

 

[rogerwells]

Is a six gallon going to be enough for a frog fish...on some websites it says no less than 30 gallons...i have looked into it cause i was thinking of getting one for my 12 gallon