Mantis in my refugium?

[Jacob D]

We have a 12g fuge compartment in our sump that is currently growing chaeto. Could I keep a mantis shrimp in here? I recently removed the DSB from it but I have LR in there. It is lit by a single PC light.

I'm not sure of the species of mantis that the fish store has. It's a dark green color about 4 inches long (pretty good size).


p.s. happy new years everyone (you can tell I'm not doing anything this year!)

 

[Neo-Fight]

Hey Jacob, sweet find. I am not doing anything either this year - just hangin out at home with Liz and Wes.
I would think that whether you should keep that mantis is pretty much dependent on his species... he may get too big for your sump, but I would go for it anyhow. Just get a few pics of his tail so he can be ID'd. If it turns out you can't keep him, there will be plenty of people lining up to take him off your hands (possibly even me). I assume he isn't too expensive... I got mine for $15.

Oh yeah, if you do get him, give him at least a few inches of sand to dig in... and watch out for that whole glass breaking thing that they can do. Hopefully you have an acrylic sump

Jason

 

[Jacob D]

Hey Jason. Haha you have your own RC handle now I see! How is the reef coming along?

The sump is 1/4" acrylic. I want to keep it bare bottom though, I just removed the sand that was in there to facilitate cleaning. That's my main concern; I can build him a cave but he won't be able to dig.

 

[nubreefer]

Try using PVC in a U or L construction big enough for him to fit in(length*3 or 4 and width*1 or 2) and cover with some rocks. He should be pretty happy though bar bottom is not ideal.

 

[Jacob D]

I went back to the fish store and checked it out again. I'd say it is a classic peacock mantis for sure (maybe Odontodactylus scyllarus). Green body, red smasher appendages, and spotted head/neck. Approx 5" long.

Looks very much like this one: http://www.blueboard.com/mantis/pics/gawura_backside.htm

While I was watching it, it decided to go for a swim... that was kind of cool and strange. I think it wants me to take it home, kind of like a kitten reaching it's paw through the cage at the animal shelter.

The guy wants $35 for it.

Does my setup sound like it will make an ok home? It won't get much light under the floating chaeto, and other than LR & PVC it won't be able to make a burrow. Should I get it?

 

[pisces77]

The price is fair, but that mantis will outgrow the fuge. They should be in a 30 or 40 gallon tank. Also you should have substrate (a substantial amount) for any mantis.

 

[Jacob D]

Yeah, I think I'm just going to pass on it for now. I have enough things going on with the tank at the moment. Maybe someday I'll do a species tank.

 

[pisces77]

Peacocks are the most available anyway so you can get set up, then order one if the LFS has already sold it.