My Ultimate Multi Mantis System(s)
- Thread starter Kharn
- Start date
Kharn
MANTISMAN
Do you mean as in the one "bad" thing ?
In my eyes it is the predatory nature that is just so interesting and enjoyable, to go from a motionless state into a full swing assault is just amazing, specially the mechanics of it all.
There brutal predatory nature is one of the few features that I truly love about these animals, its out of this world!
Kharn
MANTISMAN
I don't want to talk myself or the movie up too much or make it sound like something that I might not be (in others eyes) but nonetheless it is something I have never seen happen before and the cruelty / brutality of it is what left me breathless (and screaming out abuse lol xD).
I just hope you all see it like I did (which I think you will).
ValleyDude
New member
I can't wait!!!!!!!!
Predators rock. It's not our fault that we're so clever and interesting.
Predators rock. It's not our fault that we're so clever and interesting.
Kharn
MANTISMAN
To clarify some confusing things that may of arisen.
I have lately stated multiple plans to add / extend my current system(s) however all should note that I do NOT plan on doing them all in 1 hit...the basic order of the projects will go as follows.
1st - Get the Aquascaping in STAND A (& top tank of STAND B) done along with stocked (perhaps not with the "Ultra Grade quality stuff / sps" just get the Superman Rhodacts in at least (since I have couple already I know they will thrive once in).
2nd - Sump STAND A, B & C together so that I can stocked the nicer/touchy corals like some of the SPS (monti/acro) along with the best of the best Ric's Rhodact's, this will give me peace of mind that the health of all stock will be good and thriving.
3rd - Stand D still need to think a lot about this (its def gonna happen LOL xD) but there are areas that I am unsure about, mostly the substrate, lighting and temperatures.
So that is the general game plan =D this weekend I hope to have my Aquascape done (well not necessarily done (or close to done) but have at least 1 (example) in a tank/compartment to see how it goes (personally this part is what I am most excited about! I just LOVE MUSHIES! =D =D so can't wait to just coat the homemade burrow in the Red & Blue Rhodacts that I have aptly named =D Rhodactis Supermaniacus! lol...
More to come as it happens =D
I have lately stated multiple plans to add / extend my current system(s) however all should note that I do NOT plan on doing them all in 1 hit...the basic order of the projects will go as follows.
1st - Get the Aquascaping in STAND A (& top tank of STAND B) done along with stocked (perhaps not with the "Ultra Grade quality stuff / sps" just get the Superman Rhodacts in at least (since I have couple already I know they will thrive once in).
2nd - Sump STAND A, B & C together so that I can stocked the nicer/touchy corals like some of the SPS (monti/acro) along with the best of the best Ric's Rhodact's, this will give me peace of mind that the health of all stock will be good and thriving.
3rd - Stand D still need to think a lot about this (its def gonna happen LOL xD) but there are areas that I am unsure about, mostly the substrate, lighting and temperatures.
So that is the general game plan =D this weekend I hope to have my Aquascape done (well not necessarily done (or close to done) but have at least 1 (example) in a tank/compartment to see how it goes (personally this part is what I am most excited about! I just LOVE MUSHIES! =D =D so can't wait to just coat the homemade burrow in the Red & Blue Rhodacts that I have aptly named =D Rhodactis Supermaniacus! lol...
More to come as it happens =D
Kharn
MANTISMAN
Here is 1 of the 2 videos I made last night, this one features The Leviathan...
This is the first time that he has fed since 19/06/2012 as he had been beneath the sand bed molting to the best of my knowledge and with good cause, in the short period prior to him disappearing he took about 6-10fish all 2-3inchs long so that vast amount of food if consumed might of promoted the molt.
None the less It looks as though he has really grown a bit considering the reach of his strike being 6inchs+ and who knows if that was full extension (maximum reach).
<iframe width="800" height="600" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hUCKsqiRXzQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Stay tuned for Morgoth....the one that really left my mouth gaping.
This is the first time that he has fed since 19/06/2012 as he had been beneath the sand bed molting to the best of my knowledge and with good cause, in the short period prior to him disappearing he took about 6-10fish all 2-3inchs long so that vast amount of food if consumed might of promoted the molt.
None the less It looks as though he has really grown a bit considering the reach of his strike being 6inchs+ and who knows if that was full extension (maximum reach).
<iframe width="800" height="600" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hUCKsqiRXzQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Stay tuned for Morgoth....the one that really left my mouth gaping.
Kharn
MANTISMAN
Well here is Morgoth, I hope I haven't talked him up too much to the point people expect something that isn't 'presented' I will say this too you....he ain't going to come out of the hole, rip the fish head of, throw it away and take its body....but he will do something I have yet to witness personally, a rather painful looking yet slow mortal wound (rather then the quick snatch and grab). The graphic footage of the fish towards the end could only bare more resemblance of my finger/hand....
The 2ND last strike is a mortal wound along with the evidence...as you start to see the fish succumb...
<iframe width="800" height="600" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BxrWh1gkBYg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Hope you enjoyed =D more to come!
The 2ND last strike is a mortal wound along with the evidence...as you start to see the fish succumb...
<iframe width="800" height="600" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BxrWh1gkBYg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Hope you enjoyed =D more to come!
Kharn
MANTISMAN
To go along with the video of Morgoth and to further show that he is/has returned to his former active self is his burrow activity. He has dug to the front of his compartment as shown previously but he is also making large window(s) which allow me to see deep into his burrow and see him in general deep under the sand bed.
Here is 'Eve' my female G.smithii whom was all upset that she got no attention last night seeing the spearers get all the 'love' I walked past and she "flipped me the bird.." she is a cheeky little girl!
More to come :bounce3:
Here is 'Eve' my female G.smithii whom was all upset that she got no attention last night seeing the spearers get all the 'love' I walked past and she "flipped me the bird.." she is a cheeky little girl!
More to come :bounce3:
TundraGuy
MantisOholic
"œI think one big draw to keeping them is that fact that they are brutal predators."
The word "œdraw" is used as in the term of magnetic draw to be pulled one to another.
That poor fish made soup on its last moments of life. Lol. I could see how some F-Bombs got dropped on that one. :blown:
The word "œdraw" is used as in the term of magnetic draw to be pulled one to another.
That poor fish made soup on its last moments of life. Lol. I could see how some F-Bombs got dropped on that one. :blown:
Kharn
MANTISMAN
Well it certainly gave Morgoth the energy to further excavate his burrow and in the process creating a large window where by I can easily view him and much more of him, the window is about 8inchs long...
To go along with Morgoths extensive excavation which was NOT there this morning but noticed upon my arrival home from work. I also encountered and potentially found the residence of an tiny mantis which I based on assumption to be a C.tweediei, its hard to see it and I only noticed it when I was looking in the tank and it moved a little, upon closer inspection, it is that little fella (I think unless its another mantis lol...the bright blue antenna are the noticeable feature).
I could hear rapid smashing coming from STAND A this evening and as I looked to investigate it was Rocky...bashing, something lol, what ever it was he succeeded in getting it as I saw him swim off with it (likely some shrimp in the rock), when I caught him in the act, he got all tough and ramped up like a little kid (10ft tall bullet proof...).
Not only did I encounter the tiny mantis in its compartment this afternoon but I also found an interesting hitchhiker inside the same compartment which I hadn't seen yet...its a 2.5inch diameter starfish of some sorts...
Finally my favorite kind of hitchhiker/beneficial tank inhabitant (besides a stomatopod) is the ever cute and cuddly looking....Stomatella! I just LOVE these little dudes (there everywhere in STAND C and big too (well for stomatella), being at around 1inch long), there so cute!!!
More to come!!!
Kharn
MANTISMAN
This evenings feedings caught on photography.
Unknown Mantis (Assumed C.tweediei) - Have to look really hard but you can see the 2 light colored eyes with black lines along with the white patch on its carapace rite next to the food.
Here is Rocky (G.graphurus) getting all excited (as usual) that there is more food to eat! He really tried to get the meat off the skewer (I purposely stuck it on well so he had to work).
Shockwave (G.falcatus), Adam (G.smithii) & Eve (G.smithii) took there food however they were unwilling to venture to far out making it difficult for me to get a picture.
Up next is Minnie (G.graphurus) however this evening she was not her normal bubbly self and refused the food as seen in the picture her pushing it away.
However her 'husband' Maximus (G.graphurus) was starving...since he had just completed his molt I was curious about when he would be 'hungry' again having left his molt in the tank for him to munch on (leaving nothing...) either way as soon as the food hit the surface of Minnies compartment (I always feed her first) he came out investigate swiftly, so upon giving him his food on the skewer, it was an instant snatch and grab...lol.
Although this guy was not hungry he was curious as to what all the commotion was from above, the Kraken (O.scyllarus) came out to investigate and although refusing food I did get this nice image of him.
Finally, the biggest smasher, the guy I have to pay most attention to, reason being his tank is 100mm taller then the rest of the tanks so I need to get the skewer deeper into the tank a.k.a my hand...I am speaking of coarse about....The Juggernaut (O.scyllarus).
Well that's it for now hope you enjoyed, stay tuned for more!
Unknown Mantis (Assumed C.tweediei) - Have to look really hard but you can see the 2 light colored eyes with black lines along with the white patch on its carapace rite next to the food.
Here is Rocky (G.graphurus) getting all excited (as usual) that there is more food to eat! He really tried to get the meat off the skewer (I purposely stuck it on well so he had to work).
Shockwave (G.falcatus), Adam (G.smithii) & Eve (G.smithii) took there food however they were unwilling to venture to far out making it difficult for me to get a picture.
Up next is Minnie (G.graphurus) however this evening she was not her normal bubbly self and refused the food as seen in the picture her pushing it away.
However her 'husband' Maximus (G.graphurus) was starving...since he had just completed his molt I was curious about when he would be 'hungry' again having left his molt in the tank for him to munch on (leaving nothing...) either way as soon as the food hit the surface of Minnies compartment (I always feed her first) he came out investigate swiftly, so upon giving him his food on the skewer, it was an instant snatch and grab...lol.
Although this guy was not hungry he was curious as to what all the commotion was from above, the Kraken (O.scyllarus) came out to investigate and although refusing food I did get this nice image of him.
Finally, the biggest smasher, the guy I have to pay most attention to, reason being his tank is 100mm taller then the rest of the tanks so I need to get the skewer deeper into the tank a.k.a my hand...I am speaking of coarse about....The Juggernaut (O.scyllarus).
Well that's it for now hope you enjoyed, stay tuned for more!
Kharn
MANTISMAN
Glad you think so =)
Here is my third test movie!
<iframe width="800" height="600" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hovyWrY9vHQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
hope you enjoyed :wavehand:
saltyjarhead
New member
Kharn I think this is the most enjoyable post I have read in a long time. One of the few that I will read through 19 pages, but man your pics and videos are great. I had no idea there are so many kinds of mantis. Everyone always say they hate them and I see why if you want anything else left in your tank. Very cool my friend.
