Got my Mantis yesterday

[funktree]

I put him in half of a seperated 100g tank. I stacked about 15 pounds of LR in with him. I have a 3" sandbed and I put a pile of bigger chunks of CC. He just sat there all day yesterday, today he has been grabbing big pieces of crushed coral and filling in openings to his hideout. He is by far the most interesting creature Ive had in my tanks so far. I fed him a goldfish last night and he was a little slow getting to it but when he did WHAM. How often should i feed him? Ive heard I should vary his diet what other foods do you recommend?

 

[Guy]

I would recomment some snails and hermit crabs in addition to silversides, oysters and clams. Just be sure he gets lots of excercise for his smashers or they will atrophy.

Aren't they just the coolest critters!?!?!?!

 

[funktree]

What about an urchin for a tankmate? What are silversides I see them talked about alot, do you buy them at pet stores?

 

[Guy]

I've had an urchin in my Mantiss tank for about 6 months now. It works well to remove algae since snails don't live long in there.

Silversides are thin 4" baitfish. They come frozen and are excellent food for carnivores.

 

[funktree]

Thanks for all the info

 

[moviegeek]

Hey Funktree,

I live in Chico,CA too. Did you get your mantis at Reef Connections?

Frozen (not freeze dried) Krill make a better staple food than silversides.

 

[funktree]

Yea I got it from Jody at reef connection, Moviegeek, so far hes just eaten 1 goldfish, but Im gonna give him another one tonight when a couple friends come over. Im planning on buying some other food sources this weekend. If you ever want to split some shipping on something get ahold of me.

 

[ISFRAEL]

hows the mantis doing now funktree?