Mantis advice wanted-

[djordje]

I recently set up my 125 gallon with 235lbs. gulf cultured rock. The other night I noticed a bright green critter popping their head out of a hole in one rock. I used a 1" hose to siphon it out of it's hole and found it to be a mantis, about 1" lg. It really looks harmless and I know there are alot of mantis species, some only growing to 2". Are some safe and can coexist with other inhabitants? I am only housing a black cap baslett and (2) blood red shrimp, currently. Need some advice before I get carried away with armageddon. Another small one is looking out of the same hole now. Maybe there was a family in this one rock?

I'm positive the mantis issue has been covered 1000 times, but this is my first and last time with this topic. Please amuse, or rather inform me.

Thanks,
Alex

[theplatypus]

Are you sure it is a mantis? Pics?

[zxcv123]

Originally Posted by djordje

I recently set up my 125 gallon with 235lbs. gulf cultured rock. The other night I noticed a bright green critter popping their head out of a hole in one rock. I used a 1" hose to siphon it out of it's hole and found it to be a mantis, about 1" lg. It really looks harmless and I know there are alot of mantis species, some only growing to 2". Are some safe and can coexist with other inhabitants? I am only housing a black cap baslett and (2) blood red shrimp, currently. Need some advice before I get carried away with armageddon. Another small one is looking out of the same hole now. Maybe there was a family in this one rock?

I'm positive the mantis issue has been covered 1000 times, but this is my first and last time with this topic. Please amuse, or rather inform me.

Thanks,
Alex

you may want to check out the pests and hitchhikers fourm or the mantis shrimp fourm here on TRT

[djordje]

don't have a picture. I gave it to a neighbor aquarist who has a fish/live rock set-up and all fish are large.

description is about 1" long, bright green, armored tail, independent upper body, independent eye stalks, and this thing was very aware of me while playing hide and seek in it's hole. I'm not quite sure what else this could have been. if I catch another, I will surely take a photo.

[Geoff]

sounds like a mantis to me.

they are reef safe if you are referring to corals, but not reef safe if you consider small fish and crustaceans.

G~

[djordje]

Are Those Traps Successful?

[skeety]

Confused here.

If you caught it already...why are you asking about the traps? hehehe

anyways...yes. Most report sucess with the traps. But if you fail once (i.e. he gets away), he will NOT fall for it again.

Cheaper trap is the inverted 2-liter bottle. (cut the top 1/3rd off, flip it upside down, stick it in the bottom 2/3rds and glue it!

Defintely check out more mantis info. They are creepy/beautiful/awesome critters (all at the same time), and fairly easy/cheap to keep in their own species dedicated tank!

Congrats on catching him that quick. most have a MUCH more difficult time!

[tims]

Yup sounds like you may have 2 or more.
you can also set up a smaller tank just for them if you dont want them in your reef.
there are a few types of them. some are spearers, some are grabbers..
if you want to know for sure which one you have look inthe mantis forum , there are a bunch of pictures for each

[jenajet]

yep they are cute when kept with something they wont bash to oblivion. Good luck on catching the other.

[Geoff]

if the rock came from the Gulf, than it will more than likely contain at least one mantis.

G~