Mantis

[Reefer_Addickt]

I have heard some stories about mantis shrimp that have cracked the tank of there owners. Are these stories or what? if i have a mantis are there any fish i can keep with them or will they just eat them? Do they eat corals?

 

[Brimarbio]

I haven't seen it myself but have it from a few different good sources that they indeed can but it's extremely rare. As for keeping fish with them, I'd advise against it, it'll turn into a money pit. Unless you're keeping fairly large and aggressive/predatory fishes die, grouper, or shark... As for the coral I've not heard first hand accounts of them being seen doing as such, however, I have my suspicions of it. Hope that's helpful,
Brian

 

[Fcamdog]

Spearers will eat fish, but a 4" mantis isn't going to tangle with many fish because of size. Smashers eat crabs, snails etc...but they can live in a reef if you plan for them. Feed them and stock your tank accordingly to minimize losses. Most of us keep our mantis in seperate tanks or our sumps. As for breaking a tank, highly unlikely. Dr. Caldwell has posted many times that only a couple species has that power and then only a few shrimp of them, to break glass. Lastly, mantis don't eat coral.