I want to set up a Mantis Tank...Questions

[bueller]

Hey,

I going to set up a mantis tank [shhhhh...wife don't know yet]. I have been thinking about it for a while. I have a 15 gallon tank..Will that be big enough for just 1 for the tank, any other suggestions as far as equip...ect

Also, I want to do a really cool stand / canopy design...need idea's

Bueller

 

[Brian65901]

Acrylic

Mack sure its an Acryic tank, Glass wont hold up to the snapping

 

[drperetz]

...

definitely plan the tank out and the rock work before setting it up....CAuse I dont think u will put ur hands in the tank...

Acrylic is good for the mantis. great animal. Very intelligent.

 

[Bob 1000]

I did this for about 8 months in a 12gal jbj nano (glass tank)... They only tap on the rock, make sure you have enough rock because it will turn the rock to sand a 3 months..

And oh yeah don't go through with this set up, because if you have enough rock work to keep wanting to stay in the tank and not break the glass to get out .....You'l never see him... Only feeding time... They do good on frozen krill if you do decide to go through with this...
And oh yeah you'll be scared to stick you hand in the ttank because they can break your finger with one shot... But mines never touched my hand and it was in the tank everyday...

 

[Will]

I have a peacock mantis in a 10 gal AGA tank..He's about 4in. long.He has found a hole in one of the rocks and mostly stays in there..except to come out to eat..He has decimated all but one crab in the tank.( There were 10 in the tank) I feed him silversides which he will come out and grab and drag back into the rock. At his present size I'm not worried about him cracking the glass but when he gets bigger I'm not so sure.

 

[noodleman]

only the smashers crack glass, so if you buy a spearer it should be fine in a glass tank

 

[OctaviousMonk]

This is pretty cool; shows how that fast action claw works
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/aprilholladay/2006-01-09-shrimp_x.htm

 

[Davidl919]

If you don't have the mantis yet. I know that greenwich aquaria had one last week and I would just get the acrylic to be safe... and yeah don't tell your wife that you have a shrimp capable of breaking limbs:biggrin:.. Good Idea! Good luck Bueller.

 

[e.muehlbauer]

Asian markets frequently sell them in the live tanks for $10-15/lb..........

 

[drperetz]

...

dont fool ur self... Get the acrylic.

 

[Bob 1000]

Gauging interest...

Asian markets frequently sell them in the live tanks for $10-15/lb..........

They sell live mantis your saying??? Where??

 

[NYreefNoob]

my lfs has 2 different one's

 

[bueller]

Thanks for the imput! I think i'll just go with an Acryic tank. anyone have one...not to big though [ 20/25 gal]. has anyone dealt with this place www.Stomatopod.com

Bueller

 

[e.muehlbauer]

I've seen live mantis sold on Main St, in flushing....not sure of the store's name but its near the LIRR station...and at NY Market on Broadway in Elmhurst. I've bought them.....they are very tasty, but unlike other crustaceans they don't turn red when they cook.

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

Live mantis are my father's favorite dishes. The ones sold on the fish markets are not colorful nor are they really dangerous(not very sure about this). I saw seafood workers and my father grab them like nothing at all. Anyway, the fish market ones are just cloudy transparent-not good looking to me.

 

[Carlun]

man it's a pain looking for acrylic tanks for cheap, new ones are at least 160+ for like a 30g =T.

 

[Killerdrgn]

the ones in the fish markets aren't doing so hot cause they keep the mantis's in freezing water. So when your freezing to death the last thing on your mind is to try to kill stuff around you.