New Peacock Tank Questions

[sdunkin]

I am getting ready to set up a new tank for my Peacock mantis (a female, I think, that is about 3 inches long) , and I have a few questions. It is going to be a 29 gallon acrylic tank, and will have about 160 watts of PC light over it. Is that too much? I have heard that Peacocks cannot take the higher lighting that other species can, and I want mine to be as healthy as possible. Also, should I do a PVC burrow, or is 3-4 inches of substrate enough?

Oh, and what does everyone feed there Peacocks? I have been feeding daily rotating thawed krill, silversides, and live snails/hermits. Is that too much?

 

[Pea-brain]

Daily feeding are unecessary and will lead to faster molting, less activity, and fouled water quality. Not really bad, but feeding every 2-3 days is better IMO. 160 watts isn't too bad IMO but there is no reason for it unless you are keeping corals.

Dan

 

[sdunkin]

Thank you for your help.

I was wanting to keep some softies in the tank, but I do not have to. I have a 2X65 watt Coralife CF fixture, along with another 32 watt CF retro. As I said, I would like to be able to have some low light corals (such as mushrooms, zoas, and maybe a leather), but I do not want her to get shell disease if I can at all prevent it.

I will reduce her feedings. I have not had any problems with my water quality in the current tank yet, but I do a 20% water change weekly.

Would you recommend a PVC tunnel, a 3-4 inch sandbed, or both for the tank?

 

[Pea-brain]

You don't have to reduce feedings, but many keepers find the mantis to be most active when they aren't full all the time, and it does help with water quality.

The light should be fine, though it isn't optimal I don't believe it will cause any harm, and if shell disease does develop it rarely gets to a fatal stage in a proper environment. If shell disease does develop all you need to do is cut back lighting and increase feeding, while maintaining water quality. Shell disease usually gets to fatal stages in the LFS when they don't provide a burrow at all and keep very dirty water.

I'd definitely go with the 3-4 inch sand bed. The PVC has its drawbacks. You will have to replace it as the animal gets bigger, and it isn't very aesthetically pleasing in most cases. Constructed burrows have their drawbacks too. It can take alot of rubble to make an appropriate burrow. And after the burrow is constructed you will have to keep adding rubble so the mantis can keep playing. I'd say go for the natural burrow if you can. You'll have to pay more for appropriate sized rubble over the long run, and you need alot of rubble to start out with, but the burrowing behavior can be fascinating.

Dan