new ^_^

[timmahh112]

hello everyone! I am new here and very interested in mantis shrimp.. im sure there have been a few posts identical to this but here it goes...

I currently have a 5.5gal freshwater planted tank... but i have been looking at mantis shrimp for quite sometime... I am in absolutely no hurry, and want to be 100% prepared before i make a move... so this is why i am here i would love any and all info anyone can provide to me... forum links - articles - whatever you got! i have done "some" research, but it is limited... it sounds like N. Wennerae would be the best starting species for me in a 15-25 gallon tank? (please correct me if I'm wrong) - limited light but N. Wennerae is not as prone to shell rot as other larger species - i would be interested in turning my 5.5gallon into a feeder sanctuary if possible, crabs n such... any info or starting points you can provide would be appreciated...

bullets :strooper:
-suggested species
-suggested tank size for species (glass thickness aswell please)
-suggested accessories for tank (sand / rocks / plants / PVC / Oxygen / anything other creature suggested to keep with it if any / lights if any / heater / and of course filter)
-please add to my list if i missed anything, or please redirect me to the proper thread that lists all of this information ^_^

~i realize that this is a recreational forum and anything stated on here is more suggestion than "mantis law"... i am just curious on how you do things or what you have read about!


And I'm grateful this forum exists :rollface: looking forward to chatting with you all!

 

[KusabiKuri]

bullets :strooper:
-suggested species
-suggested tank size for species (glass thickness aswell please)
-suggested accessories for tank (sand / rocks / plants / PVC / Oxygen / anything other creature suggested to keep with it if any / lights if any / heater / and of course filter)
-please add to my list if i missed anything, or please redirect me to the proper thread that lists all of this information ^_^

~i realize that this is a recreational forum and anything stated on here is more suggestion than "mantis law"... i am just curious on how you do things or what you have read about!


And I'm grateful this forum exists :rollface: looking forward to chatting with you all!

My first mantis tank has been running for maybe 4 months now so here are my experiences:

-For a 10g with around 10lbs of Live Rock, you don't need much in terms of filtration. I built a sump/refugium for my 10g acrylic but that was mainly because I want to house other things with the mantis as well. You could probably get away with a modded AquaClear filter.

-You don't necessarily need a PVC (my Smithii never uses hers), but make sure there is ample room for a mantis to create a burrow. Also make sure that your rock is sitting on the bottom of the tank before you put in the sand as a mantis could theoretically burrow under LR and have it fall on top of them.

-For species that can live in a 10g or smaller tank, you don't really need an acrylic tank or any special thicker glass. I got an acrylic tank because it was cheap and it's easier to drill for my sump.

-Dr. Roy has as a great list to see what you can fit into a 10g (his notes are in Liters) http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthropoda/crustacea/malacostraca/eumalacostraca/royslist/

-1.5-2" of sand should be fine. Mine digs and digs but only to look for suitable parts for her burrow door.

-Surface movement was pretty key for me. Every time I stick my hand in to do something, even if I've thoroughly washed my hands, oil gets into the tank. Good surface movement will keep that in check (I have a koralia nano 425 pointed slightly towards the surface).

-Change water every week. I do about 20% of my total volume a week. This will keep water params in check.

-You don't need a particularly strong light. The smaller the tank the easier it is but if you plan on keeping corals, you should give it some thought. I use a cheap marineland "reef-ready" fixture and factoring in how deep my sandbed is on a standard 10g, I estimate it's good enough for medium-light corals and it only cost me 125 shipped.

-In terms of what you can keep with your mantis it depends on the personality. Mine I've found leaves my other tank inhabitants alone. I have a couple peppermint shrimp in there, a bunch of snails, and some hermits. She smashed up a hermit's shell but so far it's still alive. Anything that hangs around the sandbed with a smasher should be expendable though as things will probably happen.

Other than that pretty standard. Good heater, powerhead(s), filter, etc.

 

[Kharn]

2nd Sticky Thread - Roy's List is here! Identification and care of stomatopods.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=684195

3rd Sticky Thread - The virtues of small Odontodactylus species
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1275747

4th Sticky Thread - So how long will it take for my stomatopod to molt and what is it doing?
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=963909

Many a question has been asked and answered by Dr. Caldwell himself, just a matter of doing a little reading yourself to find exactly what you seek.