Other Critters with a Mantis??

[andgott]

Ok, So I have heard mixed opinions on this subject.

First off, I have a Mantis Shrimp, which came as a hitchhiker on TBS live rock. Now, I THOUGHT that I had cleaned the rock well, went over it all several times, But a few days later, started hearing a click... Click... Click.... I had a mantis.

At first, I was going to trap him, then get rid of him. But- I grew attached. He was just too cool. He had to stay. I named him Mr. Bojangles, and the fun began. For the time being, he was left in his tank, a 38 Gallon Oceanic.

The problem is, The Oceanic is designed to be a 'showpiece' in my Living room, and despite his name, Mr. Bojagles isnt that much of an entertainer, at least not when a lot of others are there. He and I get along- He sits there and watches me (kind of creepy, really) all the time, but doesn't play well with others. The bottom line- The tank needs something else.

Now, I have 2 choices here. Mr. Bojangles can move into another tank (I already hav 6- What is one more??), or he can stay in the current 38, provided he gets along with others. Now, Initially I thought i HAD to remove him, But have read a lot of posts that have indicated that PERHAPS he isnt the cruel, heartless killer that he is made out to be, and might actually live with something else... If so- What? He is a smasher, would he leave fish alone if he is well fed? I know that there would be no 100% garuntee, he IS a predator, after all, but is this even a possibility??

Thanks...

 

[oddball_from_ac]

almost garanteed(spelled wrong) to leave fish alone but hermits,snails and other cleaner crew inverts will be killed. i say put him in a 2.5 or what ever small tank ya have.
dylan

 

[sdm]

Another convert to the mantis side! Yay! It's true what oddball says, but if you get him really used to other people, he might come out more. Phil's in a 30g long, I've only had him about 2 weeks, but already he's used to the whole family. Since Mr. Bojangles is in your living room, where people spend a lot of time, he should get used to people even quicker.

 

[Avid_aquarist]

sdm's right, they have a large one here at the university and hes never hiding, i assume its because people are constantly walking by and hes used to it.

anyways, he is housed in a 55 with some feble shrimp, a sargent major and various other inverts that have lived peacefully for a while, hes a smasher about 5 inches long.

im trying to capture one around here, no luck yet, got a pair of nice coral banded shrimp though.

 

[sdm]

High-traffic areas are the key!

 

[taketz]

Any decent sized fish should be alright but snails, hermits, crabs, and shrimps will most likely become food.

I say put a few cool looking fish in there and maybe a small clean-up crew.

~

 

[MantisDude]

I tried a scooter blenny in my mantis tank and it didn't work... mantis kept creeping up and poping his tail. he wasn't hunting him, just seemed not want him there. I since moved him into another tank.... I hope it works for you though if you try it.

-Chris

 

[pisces77]

I am getting a Fu Manchu for a tankmate with my G. ternatensis. I'll let you know how that goes.

 

[andgott]

Thanks for the replies. I think that I am going to move him into my 7gal bowfront, which is empty at the moment... Should be a suitable home for him...

Here is a quick clip of him eating-
Mr. Bojangles Attacks!!

Not the best quality, but he is SO fast... Needed to slow it way down!

 

[sdm]

lol, looks exactly like phil- right down to the the details. Mr bojangles is an N. wennerae, just so you know.