Mantis question

[Reef'in Colorado]

Hey Reefers - I have a ~2.5in. mantis that hitchhiked in on some liverock I collected in the Caribbean. I currently have this LR in a Q tank but would like to add it to another tank with other LR I collected.

Will the mantis kill the hermits, pistol shrimp or clownfish that are in there?

Thanks,

Tony

 

[zombiereef]

the hermits, shrimp and fish will be expensive snacks for the mantis. from what i have read about them, there isnt much that they wont kill.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

+1 he'll dominate and kill almost anything.

 

[katyttt]

They are great in a small nano by themselves with liverock and whatever livestock you want to feed it.
Chris

 

[phillipj2]

I had one and everdy day i found at least 5 or so hermits dead. Also he was a small mantis. If he is 3 inches or so he will be grabbing fish and they are very hard to trap because they are smart. Good luck.

 

[jonthefb]

It depends on which type he is. If he is a smasher then crabs, shrimp, snails, clams, etc are in danger. If he is a spearer, then fish are in danger.

Cheers~!
Jon

 

[Reef'in Colorado]

Thanks all.

It's a smasher...lots of popping coming from the tank.

Anybody want a mantis direct from the Caribbean?? Not for trigger food please Also have a pretty pink crab that needs a home...also straight from the Caribbean, but been in captivity for 2+ years.

 

[kdblove_99]

yep I concure what Jon said. I have never known a Smasher to mess with fish. I have had one in my display for many yrs and never been able to get him out. I hear him cracking shells ever so often but i have never had a missing fish.

I have had the same LR for over 3 yrs and just noticed him last yr. SO i assume he was a very small hitchhiker and has grown up a little. He is still pretty small.

 

[MRICKEN1012]

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