New mantis 10g tank need advice..

[lookout888]

Well my pet store got a mantis in with there live rock. He is about 1 inch long, I could not resist. I have been reading the mantis forums for about 6 months now.

I got a 10g tank, small heater. About 2 inch of sand and some live rock. I am going to use the little crappy filter that the 10 gallon came with for now. I need to figure out what else I need. I need some way to get air into the water, HOB skimmer? (not necessarily to skim just to get Oxygen into the water) Also for lights anyone have any suggestion on a cheap light I could have some mushrooms or zoes.

I will get pictures up as soon as he gets done acclimating.

<--- so excited

P.S. I still have to come up with a name for the little guy.

Mike

 

[justinl]

At one inch he'll be okay for now, but some species will outgrow that 10gal. think about upgrading in the future.

Is it a smasher or a spearer?

you'll need some small rubble if it's a sasher. shells and little peasized rocks work. Just take a piece of LR about half the size of your fist and smash it up with a hammer.

you didn't mention a heater or a powerhead. You'll need both.

For getting air there's a couple of options. HOB skimmer, more water flow (power heads), airstone. I have the first two becaus i don't like the look of airstones or the stream of bubbles in my tank.

 

[lookout888]

Yea this will probably not be his permanent home. But for now from what I read all will be good. As for live rock I have a over 200 pounds I am going to go through and get him some nice pieces to make a home out off. I also have scoped all my empty shells for him to line his den with. I will include some small pieces also.

I got a 10g tank, Small heater Check

I will have a 200gph power head in there for him. I will try and place it near the top to get more surface to air movement. But i need to find a cheap skimmer( i dont like air stones either) What about for lights, are there any cheap light kits for a 10g. I have looked but can not find any in expensive ones.

Thanks in advance

Mike

 

[DanInSD]

Define "inexpensive"

I use an AquaC Remora skimmer on my mantis tank. This is probably waaay overkill but I have yet to see the slightest hint of nitrates at all, so I'm happy (and so is my mantis).

I also use a little HOT filter, which serves as a convenient place for PolyFilter and PhosGuard.

Dan

 

[lookout888]

Ok am I missing anything. I took 8g out of my main reef tank. And put 2 g fresh salt water into the 10g. New sand( not live) and took some sand out of my display(cup full) got some shells working on the live rock now. Think I will go through a cycle? The water is not completly clear from the sand think it is still ok to put him in.

Also for now I filled the cheap HOB filter with filter floss, I then shoved a air stone down to the bottom of the HOB. Do you think this will be enough to Oxgenate the water?

Pictures in the next 30 mins

Mike

 

[lookout888]

Well he was not ez to get pictures of. Here are the best to I could get. Also there are 2 avi's right click on the link and go save as to play them. I know it will be hard to id as these but any guesses?


first one is what i did to get Oxigen into the tank does this look ok.

This is a picture of the little guy.

Here are the videos

Video1
Video2

Mike

 

[lookout888]

My guess is Neogonodactylus bredini But they sorta mostly look the same to me

 

[Ms. K]

G. graphurus, maybe? What color are its meral spots? If they're bright orange, it might be G. graphurus.

 

[lookout888]

I could not tell he is very small and I could not see any of his front ""claws"". Once he gets used to the tank I will hopefully see him more and find out the color.

3 questions.

Since he is so small will he still go after snails that are 1/4 1/2 inch?
Do mantis jump (so I know if I need to cover the tank)
How long should I leave him be until I try to feed him?

Mike

 

[Ms. K]

One that small might not jump, but my peacock cleared the top of its tank by at least a foot one day. SCARY!!!!!!!!

 

[lookout888]

wow that had to freak you out. LOL It really does not matter to me what kind he is. Just as long as I dont kill him. He was awsome to watch in the bag and at the store. They where feeding him pelets of dryed brine shrimp.

 

[lookout888]

Well i know the pet store has not fed him anything meaty( he was at the store for about 2 weeks) so I put a 1/4 inch peice of squid on my tongs. As soon as it went near the rock he ran out and curled around it. When i let go all i could see was his dust This is really cool.

Mike

 

[Ms. K]

LOL..have fun! They are a joy to have! I really like mine, even if she is a total diva. BTW, it was terrifying!!! She is in an acrylic tank in my classroom. 7th graders screaming, mantis shrimp flying...lol. DRAMA! She's fine now, btw. Back in the tank with major 'TUDE.

 

[Agu]

Mike, Congrats on the mantis :thumbsup:

I'm using a 20w Aqualight over my mantis tank and growing rock anemones, zoanthids, and anthelia. The anthelia has to go though, it's not a Caribbean native. I would highly recommend going with a native biotope for the mantis.

Snails are safe until your mantis gets big enough to crack their shell. You may want to put some larger turbos in there for a clean up crew. My 3+" n wennerae can hardly take out a large turbo. (but he eventually has them for lunch)

For live foods I go to the beach and get coquina clams as food for my mantis. Mine will eat 4 or 5 , yours is probably only good for 2 or three per meal. Once you get it eating live it'll easily eat dead clams. Freeze the extras for a supply of food.

While you're at the beach get a cup of shell rubble to provide building materials for your mantis. It'll be less likely to use your frags with adequate supplies on hand.

Have fun ............

 

[lookout888]

Thanks for the info. I feed him frozen shrimp today. He takes it right away. How often do you feed?

Whenever i look in the tank he always pops his head out of his whole, if i move around he follows me with his eyes. It is so awesome. I broke up some rock yesterday and put in some bigger pieces. He has made a door for his one hole and has cleaned out a new whole on the new rock. It is neat how they clean out the wholes. I put in some smaller snails including the ones that look like Thumb nails (don’t know the name) Will see if he goes after them.

Mike

 

[Pea-brain]

A good feeding schedule is once every 2-3 days. once a week soak the food in an additive like selco. You should feed a staple of 2 marine foods for variety. Foods like squid, krill, uncooked shrimp, and even smelt work good. I recently picked up a good sized smelt for 20 cents and it'll probly last 5-10 feedings. I also like to use wardley's freeze dried krill.

Edit: Almost forgot, at least once a month or more provide a hard shelled food such as snails or hermits to keep him in shape, Its good to have a few in the tank at any time assuming he doesn't decimate them immediately.

 

[Ms. K]

Did you ever find out what species it is?

 

[lookout888]

No Still do not know what he is
If I am correct the meral spots is located on there front apendage. It looks like he always has them hidden under him. Is there anything else that will help id him.

Mike

 

[Ms. K]

If he ever does a meral (defensive) spread for you, you'd be able to see them better. Good, close, clear pics of the animal would help, especially of the telson (tail) and from the front.