Whats the most colorful Mantis

[maxalmon]

I'm going to convert my 12g bio-Cube to a Mantis tank, whats the most colorful mantis and do they have limitations with respect to tanks size?

 

[traveller7]

Colorful and available, likely a peacock, but they are a bit large/active for a 12gal in my humble opinion.

 

[Mr Stomato]

Definately a peacock colorwise and a great choice for a first mantis for sure. I too think 12g is small, however if you get one that is 1-3" it will be fine for a year or more depending on initial size. By then the mantis madness will have kicked in and you will already have plenty of tanks with other mantis and one to upgrade your peacock to hahaha.

 

[justinl]

im going to agree with peacock for larger coral-less tanks, but if you want to stick to a nano or really any reef, I would definitely vote for G. smithii (especially the colour morph with the red intersegmental lines)

ps... max your avatar gives me the jibblies... *shudder*

 

[maxalmon]

Thanks for all the feedback, I'll do my research and look into each one that was metioned....Do they tend to tear the tank apart? as I was going to put him in this tank, good/bad idea?

It looks like a solid pile of LR, but it's hollow underneath, much like a tent, will a Mantis destroy this?

Anyone have a good source that I could check out?

 

[justinl]

ah so it doesnt have a choice, it has to go in the 12 gal. well in that case, forget the peacock. It will get too big and imo, because of its size, isnt reef safe. oh and adult peacocks can break glass... there's that too. Well in that case, stick to the smaller mantids. Also, when you put in the mantis, throw in a fistful of LR rubble in the back of the tank. the mantis will use it to make its burrow (a much better alternative to frags). You also have to make sure all frags are secured to rock at least as big as the mantis.

Other than G. smithii, N. wennerae is another favourite. very active, and just as bulletproof as G. smithii but much more available.

speaking of N. wennerae, check out tampabaysaltwater.com. They have nothing but N. wennerae so it's a reliable source. Another great source is Stomatopod.com. Other than those two, i cant think of any online sources of reliably IDed mantids.

btw, that is a gorgeous lil tank there

 

[Gonodactylus]

For a nano, I would recommend Gonodactylaceus glabrous or G. ternatensis, Gonodactylus smithii, or Neogonodactylus curacaoensis. All are quite collorful and except for a G. ternnatenis over 8 cm, could live happily in a 12 gal. system.

Roy

 

[Altpers0na]

are those all puddle jumpers?