My mantis hates feather duster's

[netjackson]

Well I added a new rock to my tank and attached was a large feather duster. As soon as the feather duster came out, my mantis grabbed it, pulled it out and ran around with it. He will not give up.

Does anybody in the group know why?

Thanks

Rob

 

[Spudstr]

lol had to be funny to see. I have a feather duster on a rock agove jakes cave. so far he hasn't cared for it

 

[netjackson]

It's a pretty funny site. I tried to bribe him with food but he'd rather hold on to the feather duster. It may be the last straw for my mantis. I've added some additional corals to my tank and I do not want him to mess with them. He has not yet but after this, I do not want to take any chances.

 

[nubreefer]

I doubt he would mess with the corals. Feather dusters are a type of worm so he's probably just going to eat it. Besides, a mantis is a much better tank inhabitant than a feather duster.

 

[ReneX]

*chuckles*

My neogonodactylus wennerae female never bothered any corals in her tank...unless she happened to like the rock rubble they were attached to. On a few occasions she moved tiny frags into her burrow for construction material, but this was easily remedied by gluing the frags down or rubber-banding them to the main live rock. If she couldn't move them, she lost interest.

 

[netjackson]

Mantis's Home

Mantis's Home

He has not messed with anything else. I have had him for about 2 years and he has only reduced my cleaner crew.

Here's a pic of my mantis

Here's a pic of his home

 

[esco]

that's the coolest looking mantis i've ever seen, got more pix of it?

 

[netjackson]

Another Pic

Another Pic

Thanks,

Here's another pic. There are some more in my gallery.

 

[SaCe]

He's a beautiful species! I see you have a couple fish in with him. Do you have success with fish and mantis together? I've been thinking of getting a fish or two to keep with my mantis as well. I just haven't been sure what type to get. My mantis is housed in an 18 gal tank.

I would want them to co-exist, so the only thing I thought "might" work out would be a damsel or two.

 

[Uriel]

I'm very new to Aquaria, but here is my experience so far.

I bought a little G. Viridis (he is about 2" long), wo is fairly retiring (he hides a lot). He eats the occassionaly snail and has eaten one hermit (I have a half dozen snails and 5 hermits in there now).
Not a murderous beast, as many would suggest.
I got up the nerve and bought 2 green chromis 5 days ago, and he has yet to even try and scare them, let alone whack them.

This may be because he is just shy/skittish or whatever, but Dr. Roy said that this species is primarily one that eats gastropods, which has shown to be true, as I find snail shells, but only one dead hermit in 2 weeks so far.

I say go for it and add a fish (just don't make it an expensive one).


-Ron

 

[Uriel]

I say go for it and add a fish (just don't make it an expensive one).

[/B]

Um...scratch that idea.

One of my Chromis just went exploring into the Baron's cave and got thumped.

Now what do I do? I have a wounded fish swimming around all stunned ... I guess he might survive, but...


I change my answer to 'Don't add fish unless you don't mind them getting whacked (which I do...dammit).

-Ron

PS: This changes my desire to get a spearer as well...hmm.

 

[netjackson]

I have had the Mantis with the same fish for over 2 years now. The fish are always on their guard though, but so's the Mantis. The fish know not to go into the Mantis's home. I also keep everything well fed. So far so good, but for Uriel not everyone is as lucky I guess.

PS reading the mantis threads, a spearer and fish definitely do not mix!

 

[Uriel]

Mine is a smasher, but while he pretty much ignored the Chromis, one went exploring into the baron's castle and got smashed.
It died a little while later, and I mounted an expedition back to my LFS and gave the other Chromis back, without any trade or such (I had hoped for a turbo snail in trade or something, but I really just wanted the little green/blue guy to have a better end than at the dactyls of Baron von Munchausen.
He/she looked to be doing ok in a big reef tank with some blennies,gobies and about a million corals.


Anyways, I feel pretty bad for the one that got whacked, since he was the victim of my 'can my mantis coexist with fish? experiment.

I would still like a spearer (P. Cilata , most likely), for which I will be specifically buying food fish.

BTW, any suggestions on cheap feeder fish for saltwater,anyone?


-Ron

 

[SaCe]

I have two snails with my Mantis. They've been with him for many months now and are co existing fine. I just wanted to add.... I have no idea whay type of snails they are. Ideas? Pictures...

 

[sdm]

oyster driller...

 

[SaCe]

Hmmm, interesting. Thank you! I wonder what another name would be? I'm having trouble finding info on them. They must not be too tasty to my Mantis, because he's never even paid attention to them. I wonder what else they eat, because there are no oysters to eat?

 

[netjackson]

I have 1 turbo snail left. He has been in the tank for over a year. He hangs out by the powerhead or all the way up top of the glass. If he falls, he quickly ventures back to the top of the tank. He has a large chip in his shell. I think he has learned his lesson.

 

[sdm]

I don't think mantises like them much. Phil has had one go right in gront of his face and didn't touch it...

 

[netjackson]

Hey sdm, I checked out your gallery, Phil looks good. I like his color.

Rob

 

[sdm]

Thanks.