Mantis Shrimp

[Brandino007]

What would be the best Mantis Shrimp for a 20 gal tank? Because I have been looking at these forums and now I really want one.

 

[pisces77]

Really it will come down to what can you get your hands on. Peacocks are available from on-line sources, but most others you have to get at a LFS or from someone who has an unwanted hitchhiker (it pays to help them out). If you have a decent LFS around you, as them if they can special order a mantis for you, and if they can get different kinds. My LFS orders a mantis, and gets a different kind every time. the best way for an ID is to look on the lurkers guide to stomatopods. If you can't find a close match there, take a few pics from different angles and post them here, Dr. Roy is a stomatostud for Cal Berkeley (I think) and he is you best resource, as there is very little published about keeping these critters. As for the tank size, most of the commonly available species would be fine in a 20g. Peacocks need a little bigger house.

 

[Dino]

...I'm going to join in here because I also am thinking of setting up a mantis tank and crazy enough it is also a 20gal!

-Dino-

 

[Brandino007]

Well I won mine with stand, light, tank, and filter so now Im trying to decide what to put in it.

 

[Absint Reefer]

I currently have a 4.5in peacock in a 20gl

 

[Ken2001]

Hey, I thought the glass in a 20 g was too thin for a Peacock - is this not so? It would really save me some bucks if I could go to a 20g, as the 30g Oceanic cube that I was planning on buying is significantly more expensive then the 20g.

 

[Dino]

^ Would also like to know...the 20g that I have is glass, but I've thought of just buying a new acrylic tank as my old tank is sorta scratched up (nothing that would bother me though).

 

[sdm]

as long as it is more than 8mm thick you're fine. (Is it a 20g tall or 20g long? Peacocks like a little space. Of course-I can't really talk about space issues, my 1.75" N. wennerae is in a 30g long I spoil him to much. )

 

[Ken2001]

Well, my Peacock is in a 12g acrylic, w/ lots of good hiding spaces in the LR. However, I'd like to get a 20 high and move the mantis into the larger digs, along w/ the contents of another 12g I have. The 20 would give the mantis more room to strech out. The only thing stopping me right now is the fear the tank's glass may be too thin. 8mm, huh? I'll look into this and see if the 20g high meets that min. wall thickness.

Thanks,

Ken

 

[sdm]

The only problem (besides possible glass thickness deficiency) I see with that size tank is some peacocks get 6-7" long, and some prefer lots of floor space. Varies between individuals though.

 

[Dino]

My 20gal glass isn't 8mm (8mm is pretty close to 3/8" right?), in fact mine is only like 4-5mm. Looks like I will be looking into an acrylic tank. Just as a side note, anyone know what the smallest tank they make with 3/8" glass is? Haven't measured the 55's yet...

-Dino-

 

[D-Trick]

Will a mantis be fine in a 20g acrylic tank? I got a 20 gallon tank for a QT from the guy I bought my 55g tank from. I have a 10g tank already and I am going to make it into my QT tank. I am thinking of converting the 20g to a mantis tank or a seahorse tank (like all my pansy friends want me to do). I want to watch a mantis kick some snail butt, haha.

 

[Dino]

Will a mantis be fine in a 20g acrylic tank?

As you can probably tell from my questions here, I'm pretty new to the mantis world but I will try to answer this. It really depends on the species there are lots of smaller species that would be fine in a 20gal. Its just a matter of finding one as not many places sell mantis shrimps and if they do its usually one of the larger ones.

-Dino-

 

[D-Trick]

From my research I believe I want a Neogonodactylus Wennerae. Seems like a cool species and it will not outgrow the 20g tank. Also, will feeding them Ilyanassa snails be a good idea? You can get over 100 of these for less than $20. Seems like a good deal for food for a mantis.

 

[sdm]

N. wennerae would be fine in a 20. Some people keep them in 2.5 gallons. (Only get 6-7 cm long) For food, snails are perfect... hermit crabs are also great. I feed mine brine and hermits, with the occasional snail.