stealthspy589
New member
Mantis Shrimp
Information pertaining to keeping, introducing, and what kinds of mantis shrimp there are was my primary goal when I first heard about these magnificent creatures. I have decided to compile my 'research findings' per say, so that it will help someone else in the future when they become curious about stomatopods, or happen to have one already that need advice.
Fine Print: I am not a doctor, PHD, Masters or any kind of educational teacher. I am not a scientist or any form of biologist. I am a saltwater enthusiast that has compiled a generic guide to Keeping, Feeding, and Selecting a type of Mantis shrimp. This is based on all of the research I have done through searching forums, college institutions research papers, findings and public material as well as hundreds of hours of research online. With all that said and done I hope that this helps someone down the line.
Kinds of Mantis
Largest (Roy's) list of Stomatopod species: bit.ly/1sNgQ3v
The two main types of Mantis Shrimp are Spearers, and Smashers. Spearers have an appendage that they can jab out and stab like a harpoon, generally hunting fish. While the Smasher has a club like appendage that beats harder shell crustaceans such as clams, crabs, lobsters, shrimp, etc.
Smasher Behavior: Smashers use their club appendage and incredible speed to deliver the world's most powerful punch. They'll destroy just about any kind of crustacean with a shell, it hits the shell and will crack and break shells to bits and then take the meaty hunt to it's den. Dens: Their 'home' varies depending on species. As they have a shorter appendage than the spearer, they often don't dig a tunnel in the substrate. Instead they will typically seek refuge in the rocks. If you are planning a tank, try to create a small rock cavity to minimize the odds that your mantis shrimp will 'redecorate'. They are known to bust up small rocks to close their den, or even move frag discs to use as a door. (read warning below)
*some species of smashers dig into coral colonies, and stony corals as it does naturally in the wild, while some would love to see this in their own aquarium, some would hate to see that on a prize show coral. This is is warning to RESEARCH YOUR SPECIFIC SPECIES BEFORE YOU BUY ONE.*
Spearer Behavior: Spearers use their spear-like appendage to assassinate fish. If a fish swims near or close to it's burrow the mantis shrimp kills it by rapidly striking the fish with it's spear and pulling it deep into it's burrow. The most important thing to note about spearer mantis shrimp is that they do in fact burrow, they use their appendage to dig holes in the sand bed and us mucus to hold the sand together. It is for this reason that a Deep Sand Bed is very key to a happy and healthy mantis shrimp. Some species get large enough to need a 12" sand bed at times, while other one need a 3-6". Research your specific species for more specific details.
What to consider between the two of these? Well I'll explain that by telling you about it's feeding habits. Then you'll understand it a little more and you'll know which of the two main types of shrimp you would would to keep in your aquarium.
Feeding
Terrific (R/C) thread on Food for Mantis Shrimp: bit.ly/1gh650t
Well besides the fact that one eats fish and one eats crustaceans you have to understand one thing; their appendages need to be used or they will weaken as they molt. A smasher can even lose their appendage if it isn't fed hard shelled crustaceans regularly. They should generally be fed every other day, or two "“ three times a week. As their size varies from a few inches to 8"+, vary your diet accordingly. Both main types of Mantis Shrimp are extremely aggressive the only thing you should keep in that tank with the mantis shrimp is things you do not have a long love for. If the mantis shrimp is hungry it will eat at it's will. There isn't much that can compete with mantis shrimp, or it's speed. So keep this in mind. The only thing I store with my smasher mantis is a CUC for him to eat when he wants to hunt and I'll replace it when it's low.
Smasher Live Food Diet: Generally speaking they'll eat anything they can smash. You can give them anything from hermit crabs, clams, lobsters, shrimp, emerald crabs, scallops, arrow crabs, snails, decorator crabs. You get the point, Anything with meat inside that it can smash open is perfect. Usually you can throw a CUC in and replace it every week or say.
Spearer Live Food Diet: Generally speaking they'll eat anything they can take down, everything from 1"-12", even a lion fish your options are unlimited so nuff said. If you're giving a mantis shrimp frozen food, you can choose from a wide selection such as shrimp (cocktail shrimp are OK, squid, kill, even silver side chunks (available at LFS 90% time). You have a wide selection with this as well.
*Anything you buy from a local super market, or LFS, maker sure there isn't any iodine added.*
Reef Safe?
Well I did mention in the Kinds of Mantis section that there a few risks with large colony corals with smasher species of mantis. It's also importance to note there is a chance it can move frags. If it is properly secured there generally isn't an issue. The reason the will probably do this is to use it as a door to their den. On that note they generally do not harm coral. So you can easily throw in a few zoas and not break the bank if they do get a little tossed around.
Tank Setup
There is a rumor among the aquarium world whether or not a mantis shrimp can break an aquarium. The answer is simple, don't be stupid and your won't get shot. I told you these creatures are highly aggressive, and most of the time they are purchased they are a grown adult male. While others introduced into the aquarium were hitchhiker that came with something else and sold off. The younger you get the better, just like any other animal in nature. The recommended tank size for Stomatopods is 30 or more gallons. Anything less and the glass is thinner, making it easier to bust if a hard impact hits it. The shrimp is still not giant, and his appendage is not very likely capable of breaking the aquarium unless it has outgrown that aquarium. For spearer mantis, using is deep sand bed is your best best with little rock work. If you're housing a smasher mantis, using a 2-5" sand bed with a good amound of rock work with a good sized rock cavity towards the bottom so that your mantis will claim it as his own so he can eat and molt in it with 100% seclusion from the rest of the tank.
Sorry for typos, anyone is welcome for reply. Thanks for your time and reef on.
Information pertaining to keeping, introducing, and what kinds of mantis shrimp there are was my primary goal when I first heard about these magnificent creatures. I have decided to compile my 'research findings' per say, so that it will help someone else in the future when they become curious about stomatopods, or happen to have one already that need advice.
Fine Print: I am not a doctor, PHD, Masters or any kind of educational teacher. I am not a scientist or any form of biologist. I am a saltwater enthusiast that has compiled a generic guide to Keeping, Feeding, and Selecting a type of Mantis shrimp. This is based on all of the research I have done through searching forums, college institutions research papers, findings and public material as well as hundreds of hours of research online. With all that said and done I hope that this helps someone down the line.
Kinds of Mantis
Largest (Roy's) list of Stomatopod species: bit.ly/1sNgQ3v
The two main types of Mantis Shrimp are Spearers, and Smashers. Spearers have an appendage that they can jab out and stab like a harpoon, generally hunting fish. While the Smasher has a club like appendage that beats harder shell crustaceans such as clams, crabs, lobsters, shrimp, etc.
Smasher Behavior: Smashers use their club appendage and incredible speed to deliver the world's most powerful punch. They'll destroy just about any kind of crustacean with a shell, it hits the shell and will crack and break shells to bits and then take the meaty hunt to it's den. Dens: Their 'home' varies depending on species. As they have a shorter appendage than the spearer, they often don't dig a tunnel in the substrate. Instead they will typically seek refuge in the rocks. If you are planning a tank, try to create a small rock cavity to minimize the odds that your mantis shrimp will 'redecorate'. They are known to bust up small rocks to close their den, or even move frag discs to use as a door. (read warning below)
*some species of smashers dig into coral colonies, and stony corals as it does naturally in the wild, while some would love to see this in their own aquarium, some would hate to see that on a prize show coral. This is is warning to RESEARCH YOUR SPECIFIC SPECIES BEFORE YOU BUY ONE.*
Spearer Behavior: Spearers use their spear-like appendage to assassinate fish. If a fish swims near or close to it's burrow the mantis shrimp kills it by rapidly striking the fish with it's spear and pulling it deep into it's burrow. The most important thing to note about spearer mantis shrimp is that they do in fact burrow, they use their appendage to dig holes in the sand bed and us mucus to hold the sand together. It is for this reason that a Deep Sand Bed is very key to a happy and healthy mantis shrimp. Some species get large enough to need a 12" sand bed at times, while other one need a 3-6". Research your specific species for more specific details.
What to consider between the two of these? Well I'll explain that by telling you about it's feeding habits. Then you'll understand it a little more and you'll know which of the two main types of shrimp you would would to keep in your aquarium.
Feeding
Terrific (R/C) thread on Food for Mantis Shrimp: bit.ly/1gh650t
Well besides the fact that one eats fish and one eats crustaceans you have to understand one thing; their appendages need to be used or they will weaken as they molt. A smasher can even lose their appendage if it isn't fed hard shelled crustaceans regularly. They should generally be fed every other day, or two "“ three times a week. As their size varies from a few inches to 8"+, vary your diet accordingly. Both main types of Mantis Shrimp are extremely aggressive the only thing you should keep in that tank with the mantis shrimp is things you do not have a long love for. If the mantis shrimp is hungry it will eat at it's will. There isn't much that can compete with mantis shrimp, or it's speed. So keep this in mind. The only thing I store with my smasher mantis is a CUC for him to eat when he wants to hunt and I'll replace it when it's low.
Smasher Live Food Diet: Generally speaking they'll eat anything they can smash. You can give them anything from hermit crabs, clams, lobsters, shrimp, emerald crabs, scallops, arrow crabs, snails, decorator crabs. You get the point, Anything with meat inside that it can smash open is perfect. Usually you can throw a CUC in and replace it every week or say.
Spearer Live Food Diet: Generally speaking they'll eat anything they can take down, everything from 1"-12", even a lion fish your options are unlimited so nuff said. If you're giving a mantis shrimp frozen food, you can choose from a wide selection such as shrimp (cocktail shrimp are OK, squid, kill, even silver side chunks (available at LFS 90% time). You have a wide selection with this as well.
*Anything you buy from a local super market, or LFS, maker sure there isn't any iodine added.*
Reef Safe?
Well I did mention in the Kinds of Mantis section that there a few risks with large colony corals with smasher species of mantis. It's also importance to note there is a chance it can move frags. If it is properly secured there generally isn't an issue. The reason the will probably do this is to use it as a door to their den. On that note they generally do not harm coral. So you can easily throw in a few zoas and not break the bank if they do get a little tossed around.
Tank Setup
There is a rumor among the aquarium world whether or not a mantis shrimp can break an aquarium. The answer is simple, don't be stupid and your won't get shot. I told you these creatures are highly aggressive, and most of the time they are purchased they are a grown adult male. While others introduced into the aquarium were hitchhiker that came with something else and sold off. The younger you get the better, just like any other animal in nature. The recommended tank size for Stomatopods is 30 or more gallons. Anything less and the glass is thinner, making it easier to bust if a hard impact hits it. The shrimp is still not giant, and his appendage is not very likely capable of breaking the aquarium unless it has outgrown that aquarium. For spearer mantis, using is deep sand bed is your best best with little rock work. If you're housing a smasher mantis, using a 2-5" sand bed with a good amound of rock work with a good sized rock cavity towards the bottom so that your mantis will claim it as his own so he can eat and molt in it with 100% seclusion from the rest of the tank.
Sorry for typos, anyone is welcome for reply. Thanks for your time and reef on.
