My first mantis experience

[Sergeant-G]

I went to the Lfs today and I saw a beautiful Peacock mantis but they want 69.99 for it. I was just sitting on the floor in front of the tank admiring the colors and how it looks in person, when I decided to run my fingers along the front of the tank, I was amazed at how attentive and alert it was. It shocked me to watch it follow my finger and it almost seemed to be thinking what is this guy doing, it just seemed to be so intelligent. All I know is I am hooked and I will be setting up a tank in the near future. I would like to hear any comments on the intelligence and the thought process behind these great creatures. Thanks for any comments in advance.

Casey

 

[zero_one]

they are very smart. I have only had mine for 2 days now but its very clear that my main reef tank is pretty boring compared to this one mantis. I cant say I've ever owned a creature this "strage" and this amazing before, there is clearly some "higher" level of intengence at work with them, they just don't walk around aimlessly killing things. They explore, play, hunt, build....etc... Mine really enjoys a bubble wall I have in the tank, he loves to swim and sit in the bubbles. When I add something new to the tank he swims right up to it and inspects all of it. Hes a supreme hunter and is very smart. One of the more intresting aspect of him is his constant construction project that is his burrow, he will position rubble and rocks just how he wants them, constantly changing what he has....I would compare his intelegence level to maybe a cat, I know that sounds crazy but that is roughly where i would rate it.

 

[Sergeant-G]

zero_one I think your cat response is about right I really saw an amazing amount of intelligence in those eyes. It kind of creeped me out but it also facinated me. I am moving in a few weeks but after that I will have a tank set up. O h yea what size is your tank and what kind of mantis do you have? thanks for the reply.

Casey

 

[zero_one]

see here... clicky clicky .... Pete has been moved to another tank, Uncle Rico is now the sole inhabitant of the tank.

 

[Sergeant-G]

zero one I have been following your thread for a while your mantids are beautiful. I really want to get a peacock but I will have to see what I can find, it is really hard to find one in columbus ohio. Well I am going to try and find a suitable acrylic tank now so if I dont get back with a reply tonight I will in the morning.

Casey

 

[zero_one]

I've found most of the smaller mantids to not be all that fun, the hide all the time. I have 1 tank at work ( 5 gallon) with 1 mantis in it, hes a small guy and does not do a whole lot. I get made fun of by my co-workers becuase they joke that I'm just keeping rocks. I use to have a cleaner shimp , damsel, and a sally light foot crab but they have all been moved for the mantis. I would recomend a peacock (as would anyone who has one or as seen one) or a rainbow (what I have). Also G. Teratemsis looks great but they are harvested from coral very poorly and this causes the destruction of coral which is not good. From what I've seen in most that are squilla (spearers) are very difficult to keep or get in the first place. I think I'm pretty lucky to have gotten one. Peacocks are by far the easiest to get, they can be orderd online, and even if they are out of stock all you got to do is wait a month any they will get another one in. Anything over 3 inches needs a 20 gallon+ tank, even if you down get a smasher acrylic tanks are far nicer to have overall (I will never buy glass again). Any of the large species like the peacock needs a 30+ tank in my opinion, mines a 35 hex (got it used for $20.00) which is ok for now, but I want something large in the future, especailly if any growth of the mantis occurs.

 

[Sergeant-G]

zero_one Yea from the research I have done I figured that a 20 gallon was a minimum. I know that glass has to be 7-8mm thick to be able to keep a mantis but acrylic can be thinner. I would get a glass tank because its cheaper but the acrylic is nicer. I have some more looking to do but I will hopefully have one in the near future.


Any one else have any comments?