Looking for the most outgoing Mantis...

[ecugman]

I have a JBJ 12 gallon nano on the way and I want to start my first Mantis tank. I've read the lurker's guide (most of it), have been lurking here and think I'm ready. My question is...

Which mantis' are the most outgoing?

I know they hide out a lot but I'd hate to put this time and $$$ into a tank and never see the critter.

PS - Looking for a clubber.

 

[Gonodactylus]

The size of the system - and how long you have to run it in - will dictate to some extent what you can keep. While O. scyllarus are quite interactive, I would not recommend a large one. If you can find a 3 inch individual of this species, that would work well.

O. havanensis and O. brevirostris are my favorite species for a smallish tank. They are almost always visible and quickly learn to come to feeding sticks, etc. However, they are very sensitive to water parameters, so unless the tank is really functioning well I would not try them.

That leaves you with a gonodactylid. I like Gonodactylus smithii and Gonodactylaceus ternatensis. They are usually at least good for a threat when you get close to the aquarium.

N. wennerae are the easiest to acquire right now and some are pretty aggressive. Probably safest to start with one of them.

Roy

 

[ecugman]

Like most others I'm sure, I really like O. scyllarus, but with N. wennerae so readily available I have a hard time justifying the purchase. Maybe my LFS can get one an save me the shipping.

I will check out O. havanensis and O. brevirostris.

thanks!