Lets talk about the dynamics of a mantis tank.

[redwinger]

Allright since GregT was nice enough to get this going for us, Lets talk about the fundamentals of a mantis tank, lighting, filtration, sand, rock, co-inhabitants, clean up crew's that won't get killed , glass or acryllic. As we will see, they are relativelly simple and easy setups especially for a begining aquarist. The mantis shrimp is a relativelly hardy specimen and not only are beutifull, but also have some amazing intelligence. Note most setups are relativelly the same for each mantis with the exception of a few things.

[redwinger]

Allright Tanks:
Tank size can be relativelly small and inexpensive for most species of mantis. Yes the larger ones can break and chip glass! The larger smasher variety should be housed in a acryllic tank or a 3/8" thick or larger thickness glass tank for the larger smashing variety.

[redwinger]

Lighting:
Really any type of lighting will suffice. NO will work just fine and if you plan on keeping corals with the mantis then the appropriate lighting for the corals should be used. Keep in mind that most mantis do not prefer high intensity lighting. Corals can be kept with mantis shrimps however make sure they are firmly attached to the substrate or rockwork and they will take the coral and move it however they see fit.

Filtration:

This is a relativelly easy one. You can get by with just normal weekly water changes depending on the bio load of the tank. If the bio load is higher you may want to consider a small protein skimmer or HOB filter. Live rock a nice sand bed and a bunch of rubble rock is really all you need.


Flow:

Tank flow does not need to be massive by any means. A 10x turnover rate is more than enough.

[three90s&125sump]

I can't wait till I get my mantis tank set up.

[Ms. K]

Anyone keeping a spearer will need a sand bed that is quite deep, since they dig burrows in the sand. I think it is fairly unusual though; most of the mantis available are smashers.

[redwinger]

Originally Posted by Ms. K

Anyone keeping a spearer will need a sand bed that is quite deep, since they dig burrows in the sand. I think it is fairly unusual though; most of the mantis available are smashers.

The spearers are great specimens and you are 100% correct on the Very DSB. Most people don't keep them as they are not very sociable and are very rarelly seen. They are the most interesting hunters IMO.

[Esper]

What about toys? I know they like to have lots of shells, little rocks, etc. to cover up their burrow at night...do they "play" with them as well?

Given their intellegence, I would make sure the tank is interesting and stimulating for them. that means lots of different shapes, textures, caves, live prey, and things to interact with. Given that, what are some good things for them to interact with? What will they safely ignore (to keep as companions or a clean-up crew)?

I don't have a mantis shrimp yet, but I've always wanted to set up a tank for them. I'll be paying lots of attention to this thread!

[redwinger]

Depending on species you can and cannot kep other inhabitants. Smashers, you can kiss all crustaceans goodbye unless you are religous with feeding dailly. Fish are hit and miss. While feeding krill and clam meat to my mantis consistently he would never touch the damsels that were housed with them. After cutting back on the feedings he would pick them off one by one. I keep a tiger tail cuke in the tank and might try a urchin however I am nervous with what urchings do to acrylic tanks. Rock dwelling fish are a no no and will not last long. The only toys mine would play with is coral frags If it is firmly attached they will use it to make their burrow or close the hole to there burrow at night. It is best to just have alot of rubble rock in the tank for them to redecorate with . As far as toys, some have had luck with the rubiks cube and their Mantis shrimp.


http://ib.berkeley.edu/labs/caldwell/rubiksindex.html

[tims]

i take it hand feeding is out then?........hehe

great info you have Redwinger!
how dangerous are they in a normal tank one would pick up at the LFS?

[redwinger]

Not out of the question unless both appendages are missing otherwise you may be missing an appendage. They can split you down to the bone that is how they got the nickname thumb splitter. The thumb splitting isn't the worst of it, usually it is followed by a horrible bacterial infection that if you are lucky antibiotics will cure it other wise well you lose an apendage . Best to just use feeding tongs. I am assuming that you are referring to a normal glass tank that you would pick up at the lfs? If that is the case the larger odondactylus scyllarus 6" plus are the ones known to smash or crack glass. Otherwise species like the smithii and the wennerae are less likelly to actually smash the glass aquarium. Glass heaters on the other hand are fair game, best to use a titanium heater. The G. Falcatus that I keep in the 5.5 nano glass tank is not large enough to do any damage IMO at least to the glass. The G. Falcatus killed the larger O. Scyllarus when they were housed together so they can still do some damage. Here is a short video of the size comparison.
http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...t=mov00122.flv



The resulting blows to the back of the carpace as you can see the small indentions where he got her good.








How about a little damsel in distress.

[1spotpooalot]

I have not been able to locate one of these in any lfs. I have a 5 gal acrylic ready to go with rock and a dsb. Any ideas (reputable)

[tims]

what about feeding the young?

[SJLord]

Yes, this would have been something nice to know. Alas, my mantis ate her egg sack. It is in pieces all over the tank, and she is not longer 'nesting'. Im not sure, but I think it might have been a 'dud'. It would explain why she destroyed the sack after caring for it for so many days.

S