Mantis in a refugium...will it work?

[Ladipyg]

Wondering if a mantis shrimp could be kept in a large refugium...4 inch sand bed...lots of rock rubble, more snails than I can count, some cheato with open spots and a 13 watt PC. Gentle current, the section the mantis would be in holds about 10 -14 gallons...a piece of sponge keeps him from reaching the pump and getting shredded...If not I'll just set him up in an extra 12 gallon Eclipse I have, but I really like the fuge idea..enjoy the mantis and no extra work with another tank....thanks for the input fellow shrimp lovers

 

[Psyire]

I've had a Mantis in my 'fuge for 6 months.. no problems. Just know that you can't treat it as a 'safe haven' if the need arises.

 

[traveller7]

Sounds like a happy mantis home, but as Psyire said, it will not be a refugium anymore

 

[Ladipyg]

Thanks, had the fuge 5 years and have never used it as a safe haven so I'm betting the day the mantis moves in I'll need it....it's that just the way it is.

 

[Opcn]

Do you not like the snails?

 

[Ladipyg]

Yes, I like them, but I have SOOOO many...he'll be well fed and if he eats the occasional one, it's okay

 

[Thurge]

Is it lit 24/7? That may not be a good thing if it is. I just lost a nice P. cilliata that I kept in my fuge. There were no problems with the water, and it was eating, just started acting very weird one night and when I came home from work it ws no more. Only thign I can think of is that the fuge was lit 24/7 and it may have afected its circadium rythem...

 

[Agu]

I've had a mantis in my "Fuge" for two years. It was actually designed for the mantis.

The lighting does need to be on a normal daylight cycle imo. The mantis closes up his burrow every night shortly before lights out.


The sponge filter isn't ideal though. Do you want to reach in the mantis' lair to remove it to clean it ?


The pic's a couple of years old.......

Mantis home

 

[Ladipyg]

No sponge filter...just a piece of foam to prevent bubbles and chaeto reaching the return pump...the fuge is divided into 3 parts, he'll live in the middle, the sponge is in the divided area between compartment 2 and 3. I always keep a clean spare...pop out the old and in with the new...The light is on a reverse schedule, but I could just change it to a regular schedule. If I'm not happy with laying on the floor to look at him, I'll move him into the 12 gallon Eclipse I have...it has a PC light in it and I can keep him in my home office...whether or not I'll get any work done will be another matter...once I start watching my tanks, I lose track of time....;0)