Need some answers

[docjones]

I am currently setting up a 125g and wouldn't mind a Mantis. Question is where can I get some good info on them as far as diet and such? I plan to house some tangs and triggers in the tank, possible a Mandarin will they be safe with a mantis? I am new to mantis shrimp so any info to help me make a educated decision would be great. Thanks.

 

[DanInSD]

Mantis are not generally recommended for a mixed reef system, especially one with "delicate" fish like the mandarin. I recommend setting up a second tank, perhaps plumbed into the "big reef", as a specimen tank. The size required will depend on the species; 30 gallons will do fine for a peacock, which is what most "mantis geeks" end up aspiring to.

Feeding is easy. Most mantis will take assorted frozen seafood readily. Smashers appreciate the occasional snail/crab to "play with".

Dan

 

[docjones]

Thanks Dan appreciate the info, if I cut the mandarin out and just have "big fish" such as Tangs and triggers is it then suitable. Or is it a matter of the coral and other things making it not a recommended mix? thanks.

 

[G.SMITHII]

your triggers will kill the mantis

 

[Gonodactylus]

All things are relative. I've seen quite a few triggers killed by O. scyllarus. Big stomatopods kill small triggers; big triggers kill small stomatopods. However, in the case of several species of trigger because they are so aggressive, there is no middle ground and somebody will get hurt!

Roy

 

[docjones]

So it sounds to me it is just not worth taking the risk. I would rather not play Russian roulette with my tank. Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[Mr31415]

Yeah be careful. I tried to add mine to my 480g predator tank. Within 2 minutes my bird wrasse and panther grouper attacked the poor guy so badly I had to remove him. And the mantis is at least as big as the bird wrasse, however the bird wrasse is way faster swimmer.