Peacock Mantis Questions

[khrios]

I got a 4" peacock mantis for my nano on sat, but it hasn't really wanted to eat. I'm pretty sure my 6g nano is not big enough now, because it looks a bit cramped. I am looking for a 29g tank for it, but what should I do in the mean time? I have a 20g sump for my 55g reef that I could put it in. It has not displayed any aggressive behavior that is usually characteristic of peacocks. It won't even eat most of the hermits I put in the tank. Tried feeding frozen mysis, and it wouldnt eat that either. I know it's supposed to take a few days for them to get adjusted, but this just seems too long. Any advice would be gladly appreciated. I don't want to see any harm come to the little critter.

 

[Pea-brain]

6 gallons is way too small for a 4" inch peacock, your right. I would move him into the refugium and offer frozen foods like shrimp. They can go a month or 2 w/o eating, so don't worry too much about it.

Dan

 

[hoosierpat]

I've found that most Peacocks won't eat hermits. Try feeding it some kind of crab that doesn't take a snail's shell or a peppermint shrimp. Nerite snails are usually readily accepted since they have thin shells.

 

[lillurker]

mine will eat very small hermit crabs. Basically when he picks one up, it looks like he's holding a football. Thats pretty much the size difference.