tank size

[grendl]

After having read the adventures of Tim, & other matters regarding the mantis shrimp, I have decided I REALLY want one. Not only are they pretty, but they seem very amusing. I was thinkin about ordering a custom tank from glasscages (or another vendor if someone could direct me to one) but before I did that, I wanted to know what a general concensus was for tank size? I dont want anything too big, its going to be on my computer desk. I do have a pretty good area to sit it on, but was thinking something fairly shallow, & long, & not too awful deep. I dont really want anything over 10 gallons, & a standard 10 is too high for what I wanted.

Suggestions?

 

[Thurge]

Kind of depends o the species you end up getting. An adult peacock would be cramped in a 10gal, while many kep N.wenn in them. Personally I opted for a 15 to give me a little more room for reefing.

 

[mickey85]

I"ve got my platysoma in a 5.5G. I'd like to go bigger, but space constraints put a damper on that one...

 

[grendl]

I am now thinking of a 15 long, still got too much height, but the added length should be appealing to look at. If I get a glass 15 long, will I need to be worried about it getting broken by an angry mantis?

 

[Hutton]

depends on the species, a peacock could break it while a G. platysoma, N. wennerae or a G. smithii couldnt

 

[grendl]

I settled for a standard 15. Now I need to get the rest of the hardware!!! I should have it cycling at the same time as my 90. WEWP!

 

[Zoa]

What about a Neogonodactylus sp.? can it break the glass?

I am in process of setting up a 20 gal long tank. I have him or her? in a 10 gal tank. I have had him for about a week with nassarius and trophus snails and hasn't eaten. Hasn't gone for the silversides either, bit still looks healthy. do they go through periopds of non-eating? thanks

 

[Thurge]

Nope. I keep my N. wennerae in a standard 15, and when I got him he came in a 10.

The only time I see Mjollnir not eat is when he is molting. then he will block up his burrow for a week or two. His favorite snack is Emerald and Fiddler Crabs. That is usually quite the sight.

He is also trained to eat from your hand.

 

[Alarmguy66]

Mine is trained to eat from a turkey baster, but he STILL mistakes my hand for a feeding tube every time I reach in!! Little bugger has got me twice, but at 5 inches, he isnt quite strong enough to break the skin....bruising is another story.

 

[Zoa]

ok--my guy isn't eating or molting. And like I said...he looks healthy. Any ideas?

 

[Thurge]

Hermit crabs.