why would you want a mantis shrimp??

[D.J.]

just wondering. iv been reading posts on here and other sites about people hating them, wanting to kill them if the catch them, and them eating other livestock in the tank....

if they are so bad why do some people want to have them???

[jenglish]

A mantis is kind of like any other predator. They are very neat to watch if you have a tank set up for them. Everyone likes to watch a lion at the zoo but if you are trying to keep one in your sheep pen you may have problems. People get angry when they lose livestock, be it their livelihood or an expensive hobby. A mantis is a very interesting and intelligent creature to watch if that is what you want in your tank.

[D.J.]

what would you be able to house with them? would it have to be in like an aggressive tank or something? or just with LARGE fish?

these shrimp have always interested me but i guess im like most people...just scared of them...

[jenglish]

I generally hear of them being kept in species tanks. The size of the tank depends on the mantis as some get quite large. Mantis have been known to break glass tanks and acrylic is reccomended. I have never kept one on purpose but there are several on the forum that have. They would probably know more about their care than I.

[D.J.]

hmmm......well i guess its a love hate relationship...........they are cool lookin thou......but i guess im one of the ones that will never house one......

[Koshmar]

If you want an intelligent animal that will watch you everywhere you go, an organism that is one of the most efficient predators in the ocean, something that comes in a brilliant display of colors, and has the ability to brighten up your day, then a mantis shrimp is for you!
Currently I am keeping a G. chiragra, a three inch smasher, which is rather a recluse at the moment (molting). I am preparing for the arrival of my new N. wennerae soon also. I have had my mantis for about a month now and I would not trade it for anything else to put in my tank. Simply put, they are amazingly curious and intellegent. Their reputation is blown out of proportion. Mantis shrimps are certainly capable of killing most tank inhabitants if they are not outsized by a great ratio. Temperments and personalities also play a key role. Just because a mantis can kill something, does'nt mean that it will. The reason most people hate them is that they end up killing a tank inhabitant. If you see something as a pest then you usually will always see it that way until you begin to understand it better. Once someone keeps a mantis (on purpose), they will usually grow to love it instead of seeing it as a pest. They truely are amazing creatures.
In answer to the thread question:
Why would you not keep a mantis shrimp?

[aquawolf]

Welcome to TRT Koshmar!

That was very nicely stated and great reasons for keeping one. If there is a Mantis Shrimp Lover's Society you could probably be their spokesperson.

[Koshmar]

Why thank you! I just want people to know that these little guys are'nt just killing machines. They are misunderstood by many people and I feel that by sharing the experiences I have with keeping my two, people will come to understand them better. They really are unique and interesting to watch. Though at times it can become a little creepy because they will study their keeper constantly, especially if they are housed in the same room that you sleep in. Amazing how inquisitive they are. They're worth the time and money if only for that.

[aquawolf]

I understand completely and it is sort of the same as when I defend the bristleworms and tell people to leave them alone when they find them as they do good things for your system.

[morykid69696]

mantis shrimp are nasty buggers ive heard of them smashing through their tanks they are parisites to some. i think people want them cause they are unusual and scary they are best in species tanks cause they have a voracious eaters and dont ever EVER stick your hand in there with them they will split your finger to the bone

[Koshmar]

First off, most mantis shrimps can't smash through glass. This is only a problem if you have a large smasher (peacock), or a hard hitter (chiragra). I've never heard of a spearer smashing through glass or something like an N. wennerae, which is a small smasher. The only point in the tank you would have to worry about a large smasher breaking would be the bottom because they love to smash through everything to make their burrow larger. So for the most part these stories of mantis' smashing through tanks are exaggerated at best. Also you can't be a parasite if you don't have a host, unless you want to make the point that all hetertrophs are parasites. In that case a mantis would be a parasite but so would humans... I bought mine because I wanted an intellegent creature that was interesting to watch. Mantis shrimps are second only to cephs IMO of being the most interesting creatures to watch. Again, sticking your hand in the tank with a mantis is only a problem if you have a spearer or a large smasher. I hand feed my G. chiragra silversides and have never been hit. It mostly has to do with personality and whether you don't mine being struck. The only problem with even a small smasher would be if the dactyls were open, if hit with those things open then yes, the wound could be severe but not to the point of the bone. Most of the horror stories of being hit and mangled have to do with large peacocks (5 inches and larger). That being said, you should never stick your hand in a tank if you are worried about being hurt. If your crazy, like I am, just use caution and common sense, and know the personality of your mantis.

[aquawolf]

There are many times that I would consider humans to be parasites. The Black Friday fiasco at the WalMart where they trampled the clerk to death would be a prime example of one of those times.

[Koshmar]

Oh man, don't get me started. I work in fast food. I've got some stories, let me tell you.
Before people start talking about stories they have heard, I would like them to keep the animal first and then see. You can't trust everything you hear... Oops maybe that means me. The point is that, primary sources are the best bet for accuracy and your own experiences. Don't just take it from me, try it out yourself.

[jenglish]

Originally Posted by aquawolf

There are many times that I would consider humans to be parasites. The Black Friday fiasco at the WalMart where they trampled the clerk to death would be a prime example of one of those times.

hmm, if you want to get technical some consider humans to be detritovores. It is proposed by some that the evolutionary niche that humans once filled was to get to the marrow and brains other critters couldn't get to inside bones. So we were part of the savanah clean up crew package!

[wolfe4372]

Originally Posted by aquawolf

I understand completely and it is sort of the same as when I defend the bristleworms and tell people to leave them alone when they find them as they do good things for your system.

im glad im not the only one that defends them!