new to mantis

[Itz Irish]

hello everyone..i have a 15 gallon laying around and have looked at stomatopods for a very long time, and have been considering getting one for awhile..i need help with a good species to choose, with some research under my belt i came to the conclusion that the ideal specimen would either be gonodactylus smithii, Odontodactylus scyllarus, or Neogonodactylus wennerae..i am looking for a mantis that is active and interactive, and diurnal...what are you thoughts? thanks for any help

ryan

 

[Pea-brain]

That is too small for O. scyllarus long term.

N. wennerae and G. smithii are both good mantises, though not quite as active as peacocks generally. N. wennerae is a good all round mantis that is pretty active and super hardy. Not exceptionally interactive though.

G. smithii tends to be more interactive and is pretty active as a whole but this species seems to have a very wide range of personality traits. You'll find many that are very reclusive and many others that will be amazingly active. Kind of neat.

Also consider P. ciliata. One of my favorites. It isn't very interactive but it is very active, and will allow you to keep a clean up crew and feed live fish like small chromis and damsels.

Dan

 

[Itz Irish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11820137#post11820137 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pea-brain
That is too small for O. scyllarus long term.

N. wennerae and G. smithii are both good mantises, though not quite as active as peacocks generally. N. wennerae is a good all round mantis that is pretty active and super hardy. Not exceptionally interactive though.

G. smithii tends to be more interactive and is pretty active as a whole but this species seems to have a very wide range of personality traits. You'll find many that are very reclusive and many others that will be amazingly active. Kind of neat.

Also consider P. ciliata. One of my favorites. It isn't very interactive but it is very active, and will allow you to keep a clean up crew and feed live fish like small chromis and damsels.

Dan

thanks for the reply dan. i think a peacock would be ideal, but i dont have an acrylic tank. i have a 30 also empty. would that be sufficient long term? i am only a junior in highschool so money is definately an object in my way..which is the cheapest? i never really entertained the thought of a spearer such as ciliata, but i shall definately do some research!.. maybe i could have one of those in the 15, and a peacock in the 30. haha i just keep adding on the tanks, jeeze.
thanks again
ryan

 

[Pea-brain]

lulz I know exactly where you are being a highschool junior and hobbyist (being one myself) Money is hard to get by!

A 15 gallon would be fine for the P. ciliata, and a 30 gallon is a good size for an adult O. scyllarus. Maybe line the bottom with acrylic because most tank breaks occur when the mantis is digging and tries to "remove" the glass in its way lol. Tank breaks are incredibly rare and I don't think more than 3 people who have been on this forum in the last couple of years have experienced one, including Dr. Roy, and Nobody has posted a recent tank break as long as I've been here.

Dan

 

[Pea-brain]

BTW check out stomatopod.com they offer excellent service and great price. nothing but good reviews so far (one mantis died within a week of the owner getting it and they refunded the money even though it isn't in guarantee). They also have a neat forum for stomatopods too. They are pretty new and don't have alot in stock right now but there are two shipments expected this month.

Dan

 

[Itz Irish]

lol, well thats very reassuring..hmm, the only thing stopping me from getting both is the cost of live rock. so much moneyyy...how much do peacocks and ciliatas run for generally??

 

[Pea-brain]

peacocks: Usually between $35 and $60 dollars depending on size and injury (one raptorial appendage or defect will decrease price by as much as half. Plus rapts grow back) the larger cost more. This is at stomatopod.com. Not uncommon to find them much more expensive at other places, or order a peacock and get a gonodactylid. Stomatopod.com has one beautiful female missing a right rapt 5" for $35

P. ciliata runs about $35 usually, again depending on size and condition. All ciliata in stock right now seem to be $35 and 2-2.5 inches.

Dan

 

[Itz Irish]

would you advise a male or a female? or could i have 2 peacocks in a 30 or my 40 and try and breed them? or would this be suicide..but in general, well are there any generalities? such as males are more colorful, or females are generally more reclusive??
thanks

 

[Pea-brain]

2 peacocks in one tank=suicide. There are debates over which is more active etc. etc. but in my experience it depends on the individuals personality. Contact Billy (president of stomatopod.com through the email on the site or PM him on the stomatopod.com forum) and he will tell you which specimens are the most active and such. He takes care of most of them personally and is pretty good at remembering the personality of all the most active and amusing mantises. Stomatopod.com sells WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get)

Dan

 

[Itz Irish]

hmm well thats a disappointment that it would be suicide. i think it would be sweet to have a pair. hmm i will definately see about pming him and seeing about some of thosee...i want real colorful ones, do you think it would be cheaper to get them from him or from my LFS??

 

[Pea-brain]

I've seen LFS charge over $100 for peacocks, and I've seen them sell them very cheap. Basically a crapshoot. And it isn't uncommon for the to sell other species as peacocks, so make sure it is one.

Dan

 

[Itz Irish]

alrighty, thanks a lot dan, youve helped a lot