leaving tomorrow, what should i do?

[JEMichael IV]

Ok, I have a mantis shrimp in a eclipse 6 system which is plumbed into my main reef tank so water topoffs, saltinity, and other issues isnt an issue.

Question I have is feeding. I am leaving for 13-14 days. I want to make sure that the mantis eats but I dont want to have someone come and feed him live food.

Should I just stock up with snails in there or crabs? If so how many would be good for that long of a period? I was think around 6 snails? He usually eats a goldfish or snail every 3-4 days.

 

[Gonodactylus]

You didn't specify the species or size. Almost all stomatopods can go two weeks without food and the danger of the food rotting and killing the animal is far greater than that it will starve. I would put in no more than half a dozen SMALL snails or hermits. This will keep the stomatopod busy for a few days and you don't run the risk of a cascade of mortality if one or two snails die without being consumed.

Roy