Multiple mantis
- Thread starter drtango
- Start date
Gonodactylus
Premium Member
There is no simple answer to this question. It depends on the species, the relative size of the individuals, the number and quality of cavities, etc. In the field, I once found 22 mantis shrimp of three different species living in one piece of coral rubble the size of a bread box. However, the animals ranged in size from 12 to 65 mm in length, each had a cavity that was almost a perfect fit, and there were lots of extra holes.
In any aquarium that you could probably fit into your house, the size is not that important. Two large gonodactylids of similar size will find one another and if one of them is molting, that will be the end. It may take a few weeks - it may take months, but there is a strong potential that one will be killed.
Smaller animals with lots of live rock and cavities may co-exist for months or years. One may be killed, but you will probably never know it.
Large O. scyllarus can live together even sharing a cavity (male and female) for a long time. In the end, one will probably be killed.
Bottom line, it is a risk. However, animals can live together for months with enough cover and cavities. The problem is that with type of aquarium, you probably won't see them often and you probably won't know how many make it.
Roy
In any aquarium that you could probably fit into your house, the size is not that important. Two large gonodactylids of similar size will find one another and if one of them is molting, that will be the end. It may take a few weeks - it may take months, but there is a strong potential that one will be killed.
Smaller animals with lots of live rock and cavities may co-exist for months or years. One may be killed, but you will probably never know it.
Large O. scyllarus can live together even sharing a cavity (male and female) for a long time. In the end, one will probably be killed.
Bottom line, it is a risk. However, animals can live together for months with enough cover and cavities. The problem is that with type of aquarium, you probably won't see them often and you probably won't know how many make it.
Roy
