Mantis in Atlanta, With Diadema
- Thread starter robpiat
- Start date
Depends how hungry the mantis is 
If the mantis wants to eat the Diadema, it will. Smasher type mantis shrimp (like O. scyllarus) really prefer shellfish to fish. If you can keep the mantis full it will most likely leave the fish alone. I kept a damsel in with two large O. scyllarus for several months. Of course, the mantis also killed the first three damsels and ate them before they figured out there was an easier way to get a meal.If the mantis is hungry it will eat the fish. If it is a spearer-type mantis it will eat the fish.
6 gallons isn't really big enough for a large mantis like O. scyllarus ("Peacock Mantis) unless it is a juvenile. I have yet to see an O. scyllarus under 6" in length. You might be able to find a juvenile, or even a smaller species.
If the mantis wants to eat the Diadema, it will. Smasher type mantis shrimp (like O. scyllarus) really prefer shellfish to fish. If you can keep the mantis full it will most likely leave the fish alone. I kept a damsel in with two large O. scyllarus for several months. Of course, the mantis also killed the first three damsels and ate them before they figured out there was an easier way to get a meal.If the mantis is hungry it will eat the fish. If it is a spearer-type mantis it will eat the fish.
6 gallons isn't really big enough for a large mantis like O. scyllarus ("Peacock Mantis) unless it is a juvenile. I have yet to see an O. scyllarus under 6" in length. You might be able to find a juvenile, or even a smaller species.
robpiat,
I am looking for a Mantis too. Let me know if you have any luck. One of the guys at a local LFS has a small brown one he calls "Brownie", (very original) that he says he would give me. I may take him up on it but I would much rather find one with more color. I am thinking the 6 gal Eclipse too but it is not set up yet. I have a 10 gal pod rearing tank for my main reef that is ready and waiting and could easily accomodate a nice little bug smasher.
I am looking for a Mantis too. Let me know if you have any luck. One of the guys at a local LFS has a small brown one he calls "Brownie", (very original) that he says he would give me. I may take him up on it but I would much rather find one with more color. I am thinking the 6 gal Eclipse too but it is not set up yet. I have a 10 gal pod rearing tank for my main reef that is ready and waiting and could easily accomodate a nice little bug smasher.
Robpiat -
I'm not qualified to answer the growth rate question. I'm not sure if there is a standardized growth rate, or if smaller mantis grow faster than larger mantis, or if males get larger than females, etc. I only have experience with two O. scyllarus mantis, a male and female. The longest I have kept a single specimen was 9 months. It was 6" when I got it, and about 6" when it died.
Jimbo -
I've only seen four O. scyllarus for sale, and all were 6" or more in length. Around here the prevailing attitude seems to be that they are pests, and if someone wants to buy one, they are more likely to want a large pest than a small one.
The camo colorations sounds cool. Got any pics?
I'm not qualified to answer the growth rate question. I'm not sure if there is a standardized growth rate, or if smaller mantis grow faster than larger mantis, or if males get larger than females, etc. I only have experience with two O. scyllarus mantis, a male and female. The longest I have kept a single specimen was 9 months. It was 6" when I got it, and about 6" when it died.
Jimbo -
I've only seen four O. scyllarus for sale, and all were 6" or more in length. Around here the prevailing attitude seems to be that they are pests, and if someone wants to buy one, they are more likely to want a large pest than a small one.
The camo colorations sounds cool. Got any pics?
