Getting 12g AP, considering reef with mantis shrimp?

[DamnPepShrimp]

I am getting a 12g AP this weekend probably and can't decide what to do with it. Since they are plastic, I thought of a mantis shrimp? I had a small orange mantis in a 6g eclipse system, but had to tear down the tank. I want to put some corals in the tank definitely, LPS, softies and zoos, since my main tank is a FO. I would think a species tank would be cool for the AP, so I am thinking mantis. I know a peacock would outgrow it, so I don't want that, something that stays smaller but I want the smasher type, I had the spearing before. Any ideas? Will corals be ok in a mantis tank? Also I will have crabs and snails, I know they will become food, but I can keep stocking them periodically. And where to get them? My LFS sometimes gets them in, but I have no idea telling them apart unless it's a peacock. Thanks everyone.

 

[gholland]

Most corals are probably safe for the mantis, but the mantis may use the corals to redecorate for you. Depends on the mantis.

Read Dr. Roy's List of Stomatopods for details:
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthropoda/crustacea/malacostraca/eumalacostraca/royslist/

Stomatopod.com has one of the best selections online and are good about identifying what they sell for you. I believe they are expecting a new shipment on 1/7.

 

[TMPoften]

The only coral that I have had any of my mantis shrimp move have been, small zoa frags or small mushrooms. I have also had them strike at frog spawn, hammer, torch and candy cane corals. Other than that it has been smooth sailing so to speak.

I have had a :
Pseudosquila Ciliata
Odontodactylus Havanensis
Gonodactylaceus Ternatensis

I like the Odontodactylus Havanensis the most, he was the most active and was always building or adding onto his burrow. Unfortunately the cleaners knocked the power strip out of the wall over the weekend and he didnt make it when I returned on monday .

And I agree with gholland. www.stomatopod.com is a great place to pick up a mantis.

 

[Pea-brain]

Ooops. Wrong thread lol. How'd that happen?

Dan

 

[DamnPepShrimp]

Cool, thanks for the responses and links. I will have to do more research before finalizing anything.

 

[Dunkpv]

also realize with your corals and mantis, a cleanup crew wouldn't work.

 

[Feclar]

Aquapod & Biocube = glass

 

[Pea-brain]

Any mantis 12 gallon sized wouldn't be able to smash glass or would be very unlikely to (for that size tank the only ones that can smash glass are very large ternatensis and G. chiragra. I've never heard of anybody having their glass smashed by either.)

Dan