Should I get a small Peacock?

[Gatorfreak]

Unable to find a smithii, my LFS says they can sometimes get very small peacocks. The owner said they grow very, very slowly. I have a 10 gal and don't want something that is going to outgrow the tank anytime soon. If I got a 2" peacock, how fast is it going to grow...and out grow my tank?

 

[rwhhunt]

I believe it around 7-11% per molt, which happens every three or four months or so... It might take a couple years to outgrow a 10 gal at 2"

 

[Gatorfreak]

Good info! Thanks. At that rate, averaging 9% it would take 2 years to go from 2" to 4". Sounds like that could work. Plenty of time to get him a bigger home if that's what I decide to do. I'd probably be pretty attached to the lil' guy by then.

 

[rwhhunt]

Yeah, if you raise up a young peacock, Im sure he or she will be your best friend by the time its BIG! Just make sure you give it a NICE PVC burrow with a plethora of small crushed coral, gravel and LR rubble to play with, as long as you give it a comfortable home, it should be fine with a 10 gal tank for a while...

 

[ReefGeekster]

Re: Should I get a small Peacock?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6283077#post6283077 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gatorfreak
Unable to find a smithii, my LFS says they can sometimes get very small peacocks. The owner said they grow very, very slowly. I have a 10 gal and don't want something that is going to outgrow the tank anytime soon. If I got a 2" peacock, how fast is it going to grow...and out grow my tank?

Be weary of any LFS stating they get in very small peacocks, just because it may have a little color they think it's got to be a peacock and will charge more wether it is or not. Research the peacock and be able to ID one for yourself to make sure you are getting the real deal. There is enough info on RC to able you in your research.

 

[Gatorfreak]

Thanks for the warning. They actually told me they got in a smithii for me. I go there and it was a cream colored spearer. So they made it pretty obvious they don't know much about mantis shrimp. Few people do though.