New peacock questions???

[rlf_racing]

Here are photos of my new peacock mantis. It is roughly 3.5 inches long. I found him/her at a trusting lfs sitting in a 6 by 2 clear tube in a fish cubicle. Very healthy, it ate a silverside before I decided to it. I felt really bad that it was in such a small container and it was also 30 bucks so couldn't leave it there. Right now it is in my 12g nano tank and will only be in there for a couple months until I can get a 30+ gallon tank for it. It dous however have some company in the tank with it, small sgt major damsel, lemon damsel, and a few crabs and snails. I redid the tank before putting it in it and put in a 1.5" diameter u-shaped piece of pvc pipes. My question is why would the mantis not take to the pvc home that I put in the tank? Instead it decided to to burrow next to the side of the tank under a piece of rock. It has me a little worried since it right next to the side glass. Any suggestions of why it did this and what i could do to get it to try the pvc home?

 

[helipilot]

Couple of suggestions, 1)Give him time to settle in, he's going to pick his own burrow no matter what. 2) I'm not sure 1.5" pvc is big enough for a 3 1/2" peacock. Mine is about the same size and lives in a 2" u shaped pvc. I think the bottom line is think about where he was and where he is now. Plus he's got roommates, give him time. Hope that helps.

 

[rlf_racing]

Here is what the tank looks like now with the pvc home in it.

Here is where it has decided to be at the moment. You can see the mantis on the right just behind the lemon damsel.

I put empty large snail shells and old clam shells for it to smash up and make an entrance to its home. My main concern that it might break or chip the glass while trying to make a different home instead of the one i put in thier for it. I am doing a pvc home because I have read somewhere in here that it worked for a few people. And that the glass is rather thin on the tank as well.

 

[helipilot]

Good pic's. I'll bet he takes to the pvc tube. As far as him breaking the glass, from what I've read, he's not big enough and even then it is quite rare. You might add some smaller pieces of rubble for him to build with. How long have you had him?

 

[rlf_racing]

I just got it today. The lfs labeled it an orange mantis shrimp, but I knew it was a peacock. Thanks to everybody here at Reef Central, it is becoming easier to identify different fish and inverts. There is a few small peices of live rock rubble toward the back left side of the tank that I can move to the front. If that will help take to the pvc home. I know the fish in the tank is a major risk with the mantis but this is what the tank was going to be in the first place. As for the pics all were done off a camera phone, some turned ou good and others not so good. Wife has the camera right now.

 

[helipilot]

One day... give him time, he'll settle in. Enjoy, you are in for a real treat!

 

[rlf_racing]

Thanks for the help helipilot. I will post better pics tomorrow when i can use the wifes camera. Thanks again

 

[rlf_racing]

Well I have had the lights off in the tank to help the manits get used to its new enviroment and I didn't think this would happen so quick. It found the pvc hame I put in the tank for it. Helipilot again thanks for the help. What size of rubble should I have available for it to make its home more comfortable? I do have large empty snail shells and clam shells for it as well.

 

[helipilot]

All-righty! Assorted jelly bean size. He'll change design often.

 

[rlf_racing]

I have pieces in the tank that are a little larger than a golf ball. Would it be fine to take those out and take a hammer to them to make them closer to what you have suggested? Or would it be better to go to the lfs and see if they have rubble that small?

 

[rlf_racing]

Also when should I start trying to feed the mantis knowing it did eat at the lfs? Should I wait a couple of days before trying or try right away?

 

[helipilot]

I would suggest using the hammer. I have to add rubble to mine as needed. I don't know what he does with it? I feed every two to three days, and try to remove what is not eaten.

 

[rlf_racing]

Here are a couple more pis of the mantis in the pvc home I made for it.

This one isn't a very clear shot.

Also the pvc home is 1.5" ID not OD.

 

[helipilot]

Looks good,now just place some of the snall rubble all around the ends of the pvc tubes so he can close the tube at night. And go to bed.

 

[rlf_racing]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will post some better pics of the mantis and the tank tomorrow. Thanks again for the help.:thumbsup:

 

[rlf_racing]

I posted a new thread with new pics of the tank, mantis, and tankmates. I would like to know if the way the tank is setup or aquascaped in a good way or should I try a different setup?

 

[dragonette]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11641526#post11641526 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by helipilot
Looks good,now just place some of the snall rubble all around the ends of the pvc tubes so he can close the tube at night. And go to bed.

thats what I was going to say,

he probably didnt take to the pvc right away because when you look at the pvc home it looks kinda "open and spacious" so he probably liked burying himself into some little nook at first. Cover up the entrances to the pvc with some plants and rubble and make it look more camouflaged and natural and I think he will be in heaven! they love to move little rocks around... and steal your frags! make sure if you have anything thats not NAILED down ... literally... you go ahead and secure it..just a few days ago I found a ricordea frag stacked in front of my mantis' home acting as a door! AHHHH! I would have left it there, but it was in the back of the tank with no light.

I love the setup in your tank Im sure he is going to be very happy.. you will come to see what he likes, they have such personality!

Happy Mantis Reefing
Jess