Just Got New Peacock Mantis Shrimp!!!

[KC29Reef]

I just got my Peacock Mantis Shrimp today and I love him. He is so cool and has a great personality! He is currently building his new home moving substrate and rocks around to his likeing. As soon as I can find my camara pics of him will be up.

 

[KC29Reef]

this guy is amazing! i just feed him for the first time and he's is devouring his fiddler crab! Still trying to find my camara, wish i had it a minute ago though. he came out of his little cave chowing down on his meal showing it off.

 

[KC29Reef]

here is my new Mantis. He's loving his new home!

 

[KC29Reef]

12 gallon for now. should i get a bigger one?

 

[Wildinside]

yes, its suggested to have a 30g+ for a large peacock. You will need to upgrade eventually to be fair to him.

 

[KC29Reef]

Ok will put larger tank on list of things to get. Does anyone know where I can get an acrylic tank of that size for a good price or things I can do to an all glass to prevent the possibility of him breaking the glass. I live in an apartment and the last thing I need is a tank busting.

 

[yukyuklee]

hey! was wondering what size peacock he is?

 

[KC29Reef]

he's about 3-4inches. He's dug himself a little burrow where his two large rocks meet. Seems to be doing great! Now i'm searching for a larger tank for this guy!

 

[KC29Reef]

Would a 20 gallon long tank work since it has the same length dimensions of a 29 gallon?

 

[gharner]

yup....a 20 long is fine. nice lookin mantis

 

[KC29Reef]

I also have my 29 gallon aga and was curious if i could use it? What things could i do to help prevent from possible destruction from my mantis?

 

[Guygettnby]

the best thing to do is line the bottom of the glass tank with acrylic or plexi glass. the bottom of the tank is were it usualy gets smacked and that is only from them trying to dig and make a bigger burrow or from when they are eating there food. i have all my mantis in glass tanks.

another thing you can do is to make a burrow for the peacock using PVC piping in the shape of a U and that will prevent him form wacking the bottom of the tank. i would recomend using 2in piping.

 

[KC29Reef]

Alright, I have since added some pretty thick plexiglass to the bottom as well as made a u shaped burrow out of pvc pipe. while i had my 29 torn down i repainted the stand since it was looking kind of rough.
So i was wondering, what fish might survive with this guy. My wife keeps saying my mantis is boring and i tend to agree. I know he's probably getting used to his new place but some more color and life in the tank would be cool.

 

[Guygettnby]

first fish you would want to try would be some damsels to see if your mantis will tolerate haveing tankmates. some do and some dont, so a damsel or 2 would be the cheapest way to check.

 

[gharner]

as for the damsels....you may want to try a larger, more agressive species (although all damsels seem to be evil haha) such as a 3 stripe damsel; 4 stripe damsel; or a domino damsel. they arent the most colorful damsels out there but theyre fairly active and agressive. the peacock might tolerate them. if he doesnt harm the damsels then you could try a moor agressive clownfish like a maroon. if you get some fish post some pics and let us know how it goes

 

[Guygettnby]

oohhh, the Blue devil!! man i hated that fish. it was way too agressive.

 

[KC29Reef]

That sounds good, I'll have to try some damsels then. I'll have some 29 gallon build pictures for my mantis's new home up soon. BTW his name in light of the new Incredible Hulk movie and his ability to destroy everything in his path will more than likely be "Hulk"