mantis and fish?

[ck1]

My original plan was for our 8 gallon Biocube to house just a mantis and restockable clean-up crew.
Wondering if I should buy a cheap fish for the tank too- like a damsel- with the understanding that it just might become a mantis snack.
Do you think it is a good idea to have a fish in there? Any suggestions other than a damsel? (Even though clownfish are in the damsel family- I don't think I could sacrifice a clownfish to a mantis). Is the tank too small to even consider adding one fish?
I have seen alot of suggestions for clean-up crew of small hermits and snails. But have also seen that people feed emerald crabs, etc.
Is there any invert that would be likely to harm a mantis- if the mantis is small?
When I get my mantis I plan on stocking our reef tank sump with some of the extra cleaning crew so that I can always have something live on hand if needed.

 

[Pea-brain]

Lots of people keep fish in with their mantises. IMO damsels are a bit too mean and can make the mantis hide (as rediculous as it sounds). SW acclimated mollies are a personal favortie of mine, are about 3$ and eat Hair algae (You have to acclimate to SW yourself). A few other fish would do well too, just gotta make sure they are water column dwellers at least during the day.

Dan

 

[icy1155]

It all depends on the temperment of the particular mantis too. I had one N. wennerae who would chase any fish in his tank around untill he killed it (usally about an hour) and the other one that I had was as close to reef safe as a mantis can get. He didnt even bother the hermits, peppermint shirmp or emerald crab in the tank with him... he would wait untill I gave in and bought him some snails or fed him on the bamboo skewer. Talk about spoiled.

 

[lillurker]

Hmmm...maybe I should take out my damsel. Mine does hide alot.

 

[lillurker]

Hmmm...maybe I should take out my damsel. My mantis does hide alot.

 

[Danyal]

maybe a YTBD or a talbot, they're considered to be alot more peacefull than most damsels.
<Even though clownfish are in the damsel family- I don't think I could sacrifice a clownfish to a mantis>
i think it would be harder for me to give up my damsel than a clown, but then i don't like clowns.

 

[DanInSD]

If you want "peaceful" go for chromis. Cheap, too. The problem: my mantis (peacock) just finished off the last of four chromis I dumped in. I found the tail section of a bare skeleton. Sushi!

Dan

 

[ksrinlv]

I have one fish in each mantis (N.wennerae) tank - a damsel that will swim right in the face of his mantis, and in the other tank a very small skunk clown who has adopted a mushroom that is right in front of one of the mantis' main holes. I haven't had any problems at all with the fish with the mantis, but at the same time wouldn't put a Helfrichi in there.

 

[ck1]

thanks for the advice. I hadn't even considered a chromis- which is a good choice too.

And I hadn't thought about an aggressive damsel affecting how social the mantis might be.

great tips everyone.

Julie

 

[mikey3165]

i think that chromis is the best at five dollars each and they stay near the top of the water not usually near the bottom