What the heck is THIS???

[coral_reefer_25]

I got home last night and the lights in my 5.5 were already out, but I noticed this white "spot" on the glass.
I turned on the lights and FREAKED OUT!! WHAT IS THIS??? (keep in mind, this thing was VERY difficult to photograph)

Oh yeah...then tonight, when I got home, I saw this!!! In case you're wondering, I got this LR from the Critter.

 

[Angela Short]

Very cool shrimp! You didn't know you were setting up a mantis tank. Is that a mantis?

 

[CKreef]

nice mantis!!!!

 

[coral_reefer_25]

No Angela, I had no idea I was setting up a mantis tank! The rock has been in the tank for about three weeks and this is the first time I've seen the shrimp. I'm guessing it's a mantis. Sure looks like one to me.

As for the other thing....what IS that?

 

[fishdoc11]

The other thing looks like some sort of large flatworm....the shrimp is definately a mantis.

 

[coral_reefer_25]

It morphed into different shapes....oblong, round, hourglass....but yes, it was very very flat. Had two little eyes on one side.

 

[coral_reefer_25]

How does one care for a mantis?

 

[danieljames]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8781926#post8781926 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by coral_reefer_25
How does one care for a mantis?

Find out where his hiding hole in your rock is. Then just reach your finger in there and feel around a bit to see if he's there. If you can feel him...put a piece of shrimp there for him.

 

[pitbullpooch]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8782176#post8782176 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by danieljames
Find out where his hiding hole in your rock is. Then just reach your finger in there and feel around a bit to see if he's there. If you can feel him...put a piece of shrimp there for him.

lmao. you forgot to add that you need to use a finger that you dont want or atleast one thats not important to you. but seriously theres alot of info on here if you do a search. ive looked into them but care and housing of them veries from species to species. ive seen a few people have them in there reefs with no problem but again it depends on the species. good luck

 

[fishdoc11]

Daniel is such a daredevil......a feeding stick works well. Most people feed them just to watch them eat. They probably don't need any additional care besides some food every few days if that. From what I have seen of other people's experiences they are very hardy and don't really require any special care.

Chris

 

[coral_reefer_25]

Thanks for the info guys....I may try to trap him and get him out of there....I wasn't planning on this being a mantis tank.

Hey! Maybe I'll keep him until the frag swap and trade him for something. LOL

 

[Fanof49ASU]

I'm sure you know about mantis shrimp......but if not, you might read this. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=997162

That mantis looks exactly like the one I pulled out of my rock from the Critter.

Here are the two I pulled out. One green one about 3" and one red one about 1 1/2". I would have liked to kept one or both, but I have a sea star in with the rock that I didn't want harmed.

 

[doublee8]

I can tell you from experience to beware. I heard the good and bad stories as well. Had one come in with some live rock that was in the bottom of the box after i removed all the rock. I decided to go ahead and put him in and see what happened. About two weeks and every snail and crab and 2 fish later, I was able to eradicate him and it was only like an inch and a half long. He was cool to watch stalking his prey though.

 

[coral_reefer_25]

Yeah...I've heard bad things about them too. However, he is the only invertebrate in the tank, and there are no fish. At this point, I only have coral....well, that and the gigantic flat worm...and whatever else decides to pop out of the rock!

 

[DMBillies]

I just got a nano for christmas (a little early, I know) but I was thinking about trying a mantis in there. I just don't know much about them and want to make sure that I can take care of one before I just go out and get one... that, and the tank isn't set-up yet. If you keep him for a little bit and then are looking to get rid of him, I may just be in the market for one by then. So, keep me in mind should that happen.

 

[coral_reefer_25]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8786184#post8786184 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DMBillies
I just got a nano for christmas (a little early, I know) but I was thinking about trying a mantis in there. I just don't know much about them and want to make sure that I can take care of one before I just go out and get one... that, and the tank isn't set-up yet. If you keep him for a little bit and then are looking to get rid of him, I may just be in the market for one by then. So, keep me in mind should that happen.

Sure thing. I don't really think I want to keep it...but we'll see how it works out.

 

[gflat65]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8786184#post8786184 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DMBillies
I just got a nano for christmas (a little early, I know)

She just couldn't wait, huh. I bet she had to to prevent you from buying one by giving you that one, huh.

 

[gflat65]

Let 'us' know before you get rid of it. I'd love to set up a 5.5 for a mantis, but would I be beaten for my insolence (or rather, how badly)?

 

[Fanof49ASU]

You guys should ask the Critter when their next rock shipment is coming.....it may have been today.
That rock is loaded with them, and they toss plenty. But, if you're looking for the 'pretty' peacock mantis, this rock is from another area.

 

[EvilMel]

Whatever you do...don't kill it. One that's that brightly colored would be worth something I bet. If you could get it to go into a rock you could probably chase it out by dunking the rock in freshwater, then pour out the water and throw in extra tank water.