New to Stomatopods

[wogga]

Hello everyone! I've been lurking here for a while, and finally registered. I've gleaned a lot of valuable information from this forum so far, and would like to thank you all for your valuable comments, especially you, Dr. Roy.

That said, here's my situation. I had a small community tank for a while some years back, but mostly focused on South and Central American cichlids for about 10 years. I always most enjoyed their complex behaviors, especially those of the breeding (insuccessfully - they're inherently sterile) parrot cichlids.

Now I've decided to get back into the saltwater world and have come to the conclusion that if I want to observe some complex behaviors (whilst being observed myself) the best bet is a stomatopod.

I've done a little research, and concluded that I want a Gonodactylaceus ternatensis. It sounds like these guys will handle being slightly well lit, due to their penchant for shallow pools.

I'm currently figuring out exactly how i want to set this guy up. I have decided on an acrylic tank, maybe 15 gallons, with a standard black plastic frame, which i will mount a locking lid, for peace of mind. I was planning on just using a small skimmer and small, cheap HOB bio-filter and a powerhead for flow and filtration. 4" of sand, of which variety i haven't decided, scattered rubble, and a couple pieces of live rock would make the substrate, and i would probably just throw a cheap compact fluorescent on top. Titanium heater, as well. Does all of this sound kosher to those of you with experience with this genus and/or species?

I have heard a lot about Dr. Roy's studies on vision, and am intrigued to have learned that they apparently are capable of solving puzzles in order to get to their prey. Aside from the creatively filmed 'rubik's cube' video, does anyone know of other videos or explicit reports on such studies? I'm thinking about placcing a piece of plexiglass (with slits to allow for smooth crossflow), to which i would mount several small, simple yet individually distinct in method of operation, doors. I'm thinking that if I consistently add live food to the other side of the divider, he will eventually figure out how to
get through. Any insight on this idea will be greatly appreciated.

Aside from the above questions, I wanted to reiterate my appreciation for the level of expertise and helpfulness I have already witnessed on this forum, and look forward to learning as much about the stomatopods as I can. Thanks again!

 

[lionbacker54]

a word of warning about ternatensis: they are often harvested by breaking open heads of coral, resulting in a lot of coral destruction.
if you can find a tern being sold by another hobbyist, that is great. otherwise, i'd advise you choose another species. for a 15g acrylic, an n.wennerae would be very nice. your set up sounds great too.

 

[Koshmar]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Stomatopods! and welcome to the forum!

Any reason for the acryllic tank? I'm just curious. Sounds like you understand what you need and why. I think you should be ok with that setup, though the sand bed seems a little much, maybe two or three inches. Not that big of a deal though. Make sure the large pieces of live rock are set on the bottom and not on the sand, these creatures have a burrowing nature that can lead to tragedy in the form of rock toppling and shifting. This is advise directed to mantises in general. I have not kept your suggested species personally. I can say that N. wennerae are much easier to acquire (Richard at Tampa Bay Saltwater, the package, ect...). I have an N. wennerae and love the little guy...err... girl. Very interactive and interesting.

As for your proposal for experiments and using plexiglass, I have to warn you that you will most likely encounter a problem with water flow unless you really go to town drilling holes in the barrier. Algae seems to love to grow on these barriers because of the low flow rate so make sure those holes are relatively wide and there are many.

Once you get a mantis you will see some problem solving first hand when they are working on snails and hermit shells. They also make doors as I'm sure you know from reading posts. My chirgra has made chambers in his cave where he can seal off during a molt. Similar to the hatches on a submarine. I would suggest trying to contact Timmy on: http://www.mantisshrimps.co.uk/
You will find more information there on breeding experiments and other operations with Stomatopods.

Again welcome and post your progress, this sounds interesting.

 

[wogga]

Thanks for the tip. If i can confirm that they were ecologically considerately harvested, I will still keep them on my wish list. Pseudosquilla ciliata has caught my eye too. Would I be alright simply getting a piece of acrylic for the bottom of a glass tank for one of these guys? The less i have to spend, the better, but I still want my peace of mind, and not a floor full of water.

 

[Koshmar]

Acryllic is not needed unless you get a large peacock or chiragra. Glass tank should be fine. If you are worried just put a piece of acryllic down to cover the bottom. Both of my tanks are glass and I've never had a problem. Dr. Roy Caldwell has repeated in posts here that the saying of mantis shrimps smashing glass is mostly a myth. He accounted a large peacock chipping glass when provoked somewhere in this forum.

 

[wogga]

Any experience with P. ciliata jumping the tank? I've noticed a lot of other people don't have their stomatopods covered. If I could eliminate any reasonable doubt of the likelihood of my little friend, that would be the only case in which I would consider spending $10 less on plexiglass sheeting. All of the comments I've read so far on this issue specifically in the case of spearers (much less P. ciliata specifically) seem to either be inconclusive and/or extremely varied, so my spendthrifty side doesn't have as much leverage so far in the decision-making process as my "Always be prepared" side.

I must say the idea of having a species that is photomorphic is quite appealing to my 'science-experiment-geek' side. It opens up a whole new realm of possibilities for intentionally stimulating such behavior. Being able to keep a cleaner crew is appealing too.

Any tidbits of personal experience with P. ciliata?

 

[micstarz]

Don't keep them with fish, I guess. Not to insure the lives of the fish themselves, but to make sure the mantis feels safe enough to come out, where you can see it.

 

[Koshmar]

In terms of jumping behavior, they certainly can jump. But just because they can doesn't mean they will. Wolf (G. chiragra) jumped a divider I had when he was stimulated by the scent of Chet (another male chiragra). My rugosa has jumped when I had to clean the glass or move her during acclimation. I keep the rugosa from jumping out by lowering the water level. What I'm getting at is they won't jump most of the time unless provoked by something, usually danger.

 

[wogga]

Would this apply to the condition of 2 opposite sexed wenneraes - one on each side of a center divided/mini-fuge area?

 

[micstarz]

Remember that they can dig under, too.

 

[Mentat]

Re: New to Stomatopods

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15569822#post15569822 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wogga
... That said, here's my situation. I had a small community tank for a while some years back, but mostly focused on South and Central American cichlids for about 10 years. I always most enjoyed their complex behaviors, especially those of the breeding (insuccessfully - they're inherently sterile) parrot cichlids....

FYI male Parrots are sterile, however, many females from both traditional and straight mouth strains (i.e. Mammons) are not and can produce offspring. A fertile female Parrot is one of the ingredients to create a Kamfa hybrid.

IRT Mantis, if interacting behavior is one of your goals, would visit Dr. Roy's site before getting a Mantis. Some species are more reclusive than others and the site provides good info on who is who. Good luck with your Mantis experience!

 

[Thurge]

a peice of Eggcrate light defuser would be a good inexpencive "cover" for your tank. You can get a 2'x4' sheet at Lowes or Home Despot. I use a full cover just to keep the evaporation to a minimum.
A glass tank will be fine. I kept Hairy, my G. Chiagra in a glass tank to the day he died. I just didn't taunt him like I do other mantis.
If you want to play with color change in mantis, N.wennerae is a good choice. In low light they are red, and in bright light they go green. They are also easy to get. Tampabaysaltwater.com has them for $50 shipped. Plus they are collected ethically.
I too would recommend thinking twice about G. ternatensis. From what I have heard they are UBER aggressive and will kill anything kept with them. I had a G.grapherus and he was insane aggressive. Little bugger drew blood.

 

[wogga]

Thanks, mentat. I didn't know that about the females. I think the stress eventually was the cause of her demise. After she passed, the male ended up spending all of his waking hours displaying to his own reflection. Poor guys. The red devil was my baby. He grew to about 15", almost full white (only 3 little mm or 2 square spots of orange left), with a massive nuchal hump, not to mention the mean streak.

Yes, I also learned that richard will ship 2 N. wennerae in the 'one mantis delivered to your door' package, simply adding the additional shipping based on weight, and another $10 for the second mantis. The ethical collection, photomorphism, interactivity, glass safety (w/precautions taken, of course) and ease of acquisition seem to make this the winner.

Thanks, guys.

 

[wogga]

Well i picked up about a 10 lb chunk of live rock yesterday, and about 1 lb of rubble, sand, some chaeto, and ordered a taam rio nano skimmer (to arrive friday). Picking up the tank, light, heater and top next week.
the live rock is cycling in an empty tank with about 35 lbs of other rock, and the chaeto is in a reef at the moment.

sorry about the image quality, the tank is cloudy.

 

[wogga]

Pictures

Pictures

The tank is all set up, cycled, and running with a Premnas biaculeatus, Pseudochromis diadema, Lytichenus vaniegatus(?), zoanthus spp., Rhodactis/Actinodiscus spp., Xenia sp., and Briarium sp. Stomatopods to be added later. Here are a few pics.

Urchin with Green Star Polyp mat

Green Striped Mushrooms and Orange Zoanthid

...and the full tank shot. If you look closely you can see the Maroon clown and the Diadema pseudochromis.

I also added a few videos to youtube. They can be seen at youtube.com/user/wogga84