Spearer or Smasher

[Fishfirst]

So what are the pro's and con's of keeping either? Which species are more common? Which species are out more? Which species are more interesting?(I know, its a matter of opinion) I have a 20 gallon glass tank, will that work or do I need acrylic?

 

[JmLee]

I believe spearers are generally harder to keep because most if not all of them burrow in to the sand. So it requires you to have a extremely deep sand bed. I dont know how they fair in captivity either. The most common mantis shrimp are probally smashers. Even some smashers dont fair well in captivity and are not very interactive. Take a look at roy's list pinned at the top of this forum.

 

[Fishfirst]

Have already... I like G. Smithii but I doubt that I could find one in my area.

 

[THEMANTISMAN]

fishfirst I would keep an eye out for one. I have found that it takes a true mantis fan to keep the spearers that burrow. They generally are not the most social of beings and the only time that you will see much of them is when they are eating. I think a smithii would be a good one to start with!

 

[Msby12]

well i have a pseudosquilla cilata and it made a home in a live rock with a partial sand burrow, and it's much more active than my g. smithii ever was. i think they're okay to put in glass cuz they can't break it, for example, my peacock mantis isn't going anywhere near a glass thank

 

[Frostyeel]

Pseudosquillia cilatia are spearers but behave much more like smashers so you would be fine keeping one in your tank. With that size tank you could keep pretty much any of the more common smashers except the peacock mantis.

 

[Fishfirst]

thanks everyone