Wow has mine been busy!

[AttackDonut]

The mantis I got the other day has dug a tunnel...all the way around the nano tank...busy little guy. Is this normal behaviour?

 

[dc]

LOL, have no idea, mine lives in the rocks.

 

[lilswanwillow]

for some, yes...
for some no...
for some its just the time of day
that makes them go...

hehe, be happy yours is in the sand... i have a 7 lb chunk of LR George took over and turned into his 'living space'
it was holey before, now its a peice of swiss cheeze!!!!

 

[AttackDonut]

Really?

Really?

Are they powerful enough to bore through live rock?

 

[dc]

I don't know my rock was pretty pourous to begin with but I see him come in and out all over the rock. I swear it's hollow now. It's a big rock, about 1' x1 1/2' He's a little guy too a N. Oerstedi

 

[lilswanwillow]

my rock had holes in it to begin with... but now,
yes, they can chip away at rocks. thats why, if you have one in a reef tank you can't just block up the holes if its a smasher and hope that it'll just die... they will dig their way out.
mines a little N. something (not wenerrae, its just weird, heh) and he goes through the rock just FINE!!!!

different species have different wants and needs....
O.s digs under rocks
Spearers dig in the substrate
mine likes to be in the rocks
(I'd assume its also affects what they eat, and it reduces competition between the species)

 

[Kara]

My mantis is always tending his tunnels in the sand, enlarging and redecorating them. I wouldn't be too woried about that behavior!