Mantis unable to break shells

[theunfocusedone]

Ive got a 2" G. Viridis who seems unable to eat anything with a shell
ive tried feeding him even small hermits and hes unable to get to them
i just tried a really small emerald crab and he seemed half interested
he eats ghost shrimp but those are fresh n i feel like they arent that good of an idea to be feeding
any suggestions on how to get him to eat shelled animals? theres no real cheap saltwater shrimps to feed

 

[Pea-brain]

Try nassarius snails. The small ones. They have very thin shells. Also check out aquaculturestore.com they have SW ghost shrimp at like $15 for 20 including shipping.

Dan

 

[helipilot]

Are both of it's raptorial appendages intact? When did it last molt?

 

[theunfocusedone]

both are fully intact
i see him strike with both all the time
he has not molted in the 3 weeks ive had him

 

[helipilot]

perhaps he just needs time to grow. I have a small wennerae that can't break shells yet. I feed him table shrimp, krill and octopus every other day.

 

[theunfocusedone]

so i just went out
got 2 small nass snails
n a $7 pep shrimp
cause im kinda concerned about him
i walk into my room
and i hear THWAK
hes eating hermits now....

 

[pimpinitup6969]

sorry for hijacking but i have a 5 inch peacock that lost one of his raptorial appendages during an encounter with a pretty big stone crab. how often do they molt?
Matt

 

[helipilot]

My peacock molts every 6 to 8 weeks. I feed him well!

 

[pimpinitup6969]

i have had him for about a month. i feed him a mixed diet of ghost shrimp, table shrimp, hermit crabs, krill and he has yet to molt im hoping it happens pretty soon
Matt

 

[helipilot]

His diet looks good. Just before he molts, he will be a little more active, a lot more grumpy, and probably won't eat. Good luck.

 

[pimpinitup6969]

thanks alot i really like having him. hes a blast to watch. im looking at setting up another aquarium for a different species any idea which others species are active would be great.
Matt

 

[Altpers0na]

raw shrimp from the grocery store?

better than ghost shrimp which are freshwater bugs...

 

[pimpinitup6969]

i dont get it from the grocery store i get it from the local sea food store but alot of fish, inverts really like it
Matt

 

[Pea-brain]

I'd check out P. ciliata and O. scyllarus for other species. P. ciliata is one of few active spearers. one of the most active types of mantises in the trade. Min. tank size 10-15 gallons. get about 4" long.

O. scyllarus (peacocks) are very big and very personable. They will interact with you and tend to be very active. They need 2-30 gallons minimum and cona't stand strong lights.

Dan

 

[pimpinitup6969]

yeah i have and o. scyllarus hes great ill def have to check out a few others
Matt