It is rare for mantis shrimp to break glass?

[B Pierce]

I would like to set up a mantis tank but I am worried about them breaking the glass, is that common or rare. I would just get a small one.

Bill

 

[Absint Reefer]

rare

 

[Gonodactylus]

Unless you are going for a four inch Odontodactylus scyllarus or perhaps a very large (3.5") G. chiragra, you have nothing to worry about. I have kept literally tens of thousands of Neogonodactylus (N. bredini, N. wennerae, N. oerstedii, N. austrinus, N. spinulosis, N. curacaoensis, N. torus, N zacae, N. bahiashondensis, N. laliberatdensis, etc. and even though we often use think window glass aquaria, I have never had one break a tank. I cannot say the same for O. scyllarus, Hemisquilla californiensis and G. chiragra.

Roy

 

[B Pierce]

wow thousands of mantis shrimp!! Do you study them or something?

I am a mantis newbie, how can I tell if I find a glass breaking type?

 

[Gonodactylus]

Well, it is either that or eat them.

There are lots of photos of both O. scyllarus and G. chiragra on the web. This should help you identify them.

Roy