just got my first mantis.....

[xkornstarx2]

Yes, I'm a virgin mantis owner......I just received my first, a wennerae from tampabaysaltwater.com, hes a light green, about 1", and has been hiding every since I put him in the tank. I have him in a 5.5g with some LR for now. Is he just hiding so much because of the shipping stress, stress of a new environment, etc? I dont think hes left his little burrow since I put him in the tank......I tried feeding him some brine shrimp the first night but he didnt take....i really dont know how to feed these little guys without getting food all through the tank...what is the best way to feed?...i was thinking a straw maybe or something. Any advice would be apperciated. Thanks!

 

[30mini]

Yea, use the straw, and put it near his home. When he comes out to see what it is, he may eat. I had an N. Wenn, and he would eat a silver side out of my hand. Give him time to come out. Mine didn't really leave his burrow much to explore, but would look out at me often enough!

 

[travisurfer]

you hand fed your mantis?

 

[30mini]

Yea! The little guy was only about 1.5" in lenght, and was very gentle when grabbing it from my hand!

 

[xkornstarx2]

what kinds of food do you recommend feeding them? yea...i dont think i wanna risk putting my hand in the tank.....

 

[30mini]

I put my hand in my O. Scyllarus tank all the time to take care of corals! I'm always aware of him, and where he is, so that I have time to get my hand out if need be! Here's a picture of the big guy

 

[xkornstarx2]

wow hes really colorful, im jealous.......what do you feed him?

 

[30mini]

well... He is not very picky to be honest! He has gone through 12 snails in the past week. I also give him krill, silversides, mysis here and there. He's pretty much a garbage disposal!!

 

[rwhhunt]

Mine love scallops and krill and, of course, crayfish! I have never hand fed mine, but I feel confident I could..I tried last night with my peacock, but we coudnt quite connect up...

 

[esco]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7878847#post7878847 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rwhhunt
I tried last night with my peacock, but we coudnt quite connect up...

:lol: i'm not sure "connecting" would actually be a good thing, but we all know what ya mean

 

[Thurge]

I used to hand feed Mjollnir (N.wennera) all the time. It was easier than having to load up the feeding stick.
I haven't tried it with Squirtle (G.grapherus) as I hardly ever know where he is in the tank.

Mini, I used to think the same thing, until squirtle got me twice in 15 minutes last week. I have felt worse pain but it still hurt like the dickens. No blood though.

 

[masterswimmer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7878482#post7878482 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 30mini
I'm always aware of him, and where he is, so that I have time to get my hand out if need be!

Mantis shrimp are one of the fastest animals in the sea. If you feel you can get your hand out in time to avoid being struck, you should do more research. His attack and your reaction time would not avoid injury to you.

 

[dead beat reef]

Capt. Kaoz a wennerae from tbs l/r and I have been together
about year. You dont need to hand feed it. They are low
maint. will eat frozen,flake,live food. Yours will need live rock
and sand to dig in and build tunnels. If you like use a wooden
ka-bob skew to feed by hand. Its now about 4 inches and
growing. Bright green and very out going. I wonder if it
might go rainbow colors? Krill,myiss shrimp are its fav.

 

[30mini]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7882481#post7882481 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by masterswimmer
Mantis shrimp are one of the fastest animals in the sea. If you feel you can get your hand out in time to avoid being struck, you should do more research. His attack and your reaction time would not avoid injury to you.

I know how fast he is! I actually use a prod to keep him where he is while I am cleaning the tank. It's like a net that I use to keep him away from me. It's been working well

 

[xkornstarx2]

just got him(havent thought of a name yet!) to eat for the first time. I got some brine shrimp in a straw and he tore into it. I also have a hermit crab and 4 turbo snails in there but he hasnt touched them yet. But he seems do be doing well, Ill post some pics when i get a chance....