Planning out at my mantis-nano

[NickTheViking]

Greetings,

I'm looking to build a reef set-up, centered around a mantis. I'd love to get the most entertaining, interactive mantis possible.

That being said, I'd like to also keep the tank size relatively small.

What would be a good variety of mantis to keep in a 9-14g nano?

 

[OziD]

Hey this is my first post. I'm in the same boat as you, although I already have my 20g cycling. For the size you recommended, I suggest a Odontodactylus havanensis. I haven't owned one (or any for that matter), but I have been reading a ton, and it seems like he would be your best bet, as long as you can ensure good water quality.

You're experience says "Newbie", so maybe not... but just throwing it out there. I hear they are way interactive and good looking.

N. wen and G. smithii are also good breeds and are pretty hardy, I hear.

 

[Pea-brain]

Wouldn't suggest a O. havenensis for that size tank, especially a reef tank where there is less sand bed and more rock. Good choices for that size tank would be: G. smithii, N. wennerea, G. viridis, P. ciliata (Spearer. Very active and will burrow under rocks or a supplied PVC tube. Allows you to keep cleanup crew), and most if not all gonodactylids. Avoid G. chiragra as they aren't very active and Dr. Roy hints that large G. ternatensis do not fair well long term, though i haven't heard issues from hobbiests. If you have high lighting then no deep water species. N. wennerae, G. smithii and P. ciliata are fine under very strong metal halides.

Dan

 

[Sssnakemom31]

O. havanensis

O. havanensis

Actually, I have my little havanensis in a 6-gallon nano, and he is doing very well. I have a substrate about 2" deep, with sand and tiny fubble mixed in, and plenty of small rubble and shells for him to decorate his burrows with. I have live rock pieces commenserate with the tank size, a couple of hairy mushrooms and some macro in there as well. There is also his "pet" stomatella, which I offered to him for food, but he carried her around, finally releasing her. So he has a pet! But he loves his tank, and I don't find any issue in the size. I keep an eye on water evaporation, and make sure his parameters stay smooth. it may be a little more diligence involved, but it is working!

 

[Pea-brain]

Generally more room than that is recommended so that they can create a natural burrow.

Dan