Good or bad idea?.

[JmLee]

Hey whats up every one. I was thinking, would it be a bad idea to feed my mantis cold water hermits and snails?. Along the coast there are a ton of tide pools with tons of snails and hermits. Any opinions?? Thanks.

 

[Msby12]

i've done it before! BUT i tossed in a purple clawed shore crab, and when my mantis molted it ate him!

 

[bkwudzjeep]

I would think it would be ok..... Maybe keep an eye on them (snails/hermits) dying prematurely, but it should be ok.....

 

[Thurge]

Thats what I would be worried about, them dying and fouling the tank.

 

[JmLee]

cool thanks for the replies. I will try it out.

 

[Gonodactylus]

We used to feed local Tegula and grapsids to our stomatopods and octopus, but eventually realized that this was causing problems due to pollutants, particularly heavy metals, that were concentrated in the prey. I know a couple of other people who have run into the same problem. When the prey items were tested, they were loaded with things you or your stomatopod would not want to eat.

If you are collecting your prey from relatively clean waters, it may be alright, although I would not rely 100% on such items. If you live near a bay or industrial area, I would probably not do it.

Also, check the local regulations regarding collecting marine invertebrates. In many states, you will need a permit or license. I had a graduate student a few years back you was fined a dollar for each of the Tegula she collected without a valid permit.

Roy

 

[JmLee]

wow, thanks for the warning DrRoy. I may think over my decision now.

 

[thor32766]

good info!