Mantis in 'Fuge?

[LukFox]

I'm thinking about putting a mantis shrimp in my 20 gallon refugium. Not for the sake of having something in there, but just because mantis shrimp are awesome . I've never been able to set up a tank for one, but I've got this fuge that might make a great home. I've done some basic research on them and know most of their basic needs. However, I'm not sure if it'll be ok.

First of all, will a mantis harm my pod population? Because if so, then I guess I'll get no mantis...

Second, there's no substrate in the fuge. There's chaeto, pods, and a little rubble. I can put in more rock for a cave though. That's it. Will one be ok without substrate?

That's all I can think of as far as questions right now, so TIA!

 

[Agu]

I have a mantis in the fuge and he doesn't bother the pods.

Sand depends on the species, some need sand to dig in. A hint I picked up here is to put a piece of plexi on the bottom of the fuge before adding sand. Once they start digging they go until they hit an impervious object. You don't want it to be the bottom glass :eek1: . In any case I'd recommend a thin layer of sand, it looks better.

here's a pic of my mantis fuge,

http://montipora.com/agu/imagepages/P1010024.htm

 

[LukFox]

Well, I'd really rather not have sand in the fuge. It's not really for display. It's just something I like to look at at night, so it doesnt have to look nice. Will the kinds that dont need sand still try and dig and crack the bottom? The tank is made of plexi-glass, and I dont want that big of a mantis, so could it even crack the bottom if it tried? Or should I still get another layer of plexi?

What are some good mantis to look for to suit this type of set up?

Very nice looking fuge by the way!

 

[inwall75]

I wouldn't put a Peacock in there but I think you could easily house a wennerae or a smithii. Heck, I even pick those puppies up with my bare hands. There's a lot of FALSE info out there.

It's kind of like someone being afraid of a house cat because tigers have eaten people before.

 

[LukFox]

Awesome! I was hoping a wennerae would be ok . And after just reviewing, smashers live in rocks, so I could really get a wennerae without adding sand : ). But I dont think I'll be picking one up with my bare hands anytime soon - I saw what that wennerae did to that guy's hand in that reefkeeping mantis issue :eek2: !

 

[inwall75]

Thanks for the reminder. While I do tend to do this, I've kept many different species for a while and I feel it is important that I make it clear that I DON'T RECOMMEND THAT EVERYONE DOES THIS.

I said that to point out that if you get a hitchhiking mantis, your entire tank is not going to get killed in spite of what these forums tend to say.

 

[ejls]

It might be worth putting down some surface (like a roughened piece of acrylic) so the mantis can grip the base properly. I just saw a Peacock in our Local LFS and it was having difficulties slipping on the glass base. I don't know that it is necessary but it might be an idea.

HTH

 

[Agu]

My mantis is a n. wennerae and he does do some digging. However his main lair is in the rock.

 

[LukFox]

Hmm. In that case, it might be worth putting in some sand from the main tank. I want him to be comfy after all! Will an inch work or more or less?