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WTB stomapod / mantis shrimp
- Thread starter jbnebres
- Start date
I know Ocean Gallery II normally has one in stock.....
They are a sponsor so you could just send them a PM or ask any sponsor that is close to where you reside...
They are a sponsor so you could just send them a PM or ask any sponsor that is close to where you reside...
absolutely fish had one last night
mikem said:Teach me something. What would the difference be? I never had one.jonathan. said:Make sure you use an acrylic tank
There are 2 types of mantis shrimp, spearers and smashers. Spearers have barbed spears for front claws and smashers have club like appendages. Some of the larger species of smashers can break a glass tank. This usually only happens when folks keep them in small tanks such as 10-15 gallons as the glass is really thin. You can use glass just go with a 29 gallon or larger, or you can put a piece of acrylic on the bottom of the tank between the glass and sand.
Mantis are burrowing creatures by nature. In the wild when they reach a rock while digging they smash their way through it. When digging in an aquarium and they reach the glass bottom, they assume it is a rock and attempt to smash through it resulting in a cracked tank. Putting acrylic on the bottom will help alleviate this.
panmanmatt said:mikem said:Teach me something. What would the difference be? I never had one.jonathan. said:Make sure you use an acrylic tank
There are 2 types of mantis shrimp, spearers and smashers. Spearers have barbed spears for front claws and smashers have club like appendages. Some of the larger species of smashers can break a glass tank. This usually only happens when folks keep them in small tanks such as 10-15 gallons as the glass is really thin. You can use glass just go with a 29 gallon or larger, or you can put a piece of acrylic on the bottom of the tank between the glass and sand.
Mantis are burrowing creatures by nature. In the wild when they reach a rock while digging they smash their way through it. When digging in an aquarium and they reach the glass bottom, they assume it is a rock and attempt to smash through it resulting in a cracked tank. Putting acrylic on the bottom will help alleviate this.
I have a buddy who lost a 55G tank due to a smashing mantis. I believe it was one of those awesome colored peacock mantis shrimp which are smashers.
I would definitely keep them in an acrylic aquarium, regardless, just because I'd hate to find a glass tank shattered.
A large mantis shrimp could very well likely smash most glass tanks.
While acrylic does make the most sense - a glass tank could be used if you take precautions...
Like if the sandbed is thick enough and teh grains are small - any mantis-made burrow would collapse and therefore it could not reach the bottom. To create a "safe" burrow, add in a large U shaped piece of pvc in the sugar grain sand and you're all set. Throw in some shells and bits of larger crushed coral for them to use to shore up the entrance to their burrow.
Or you could pick up one of the smaller smasher species from the carribean.
Peacocks are beautiful but they don't call them thumbsplitters for fun.
Like if the sandbed is thick enough and teh grains are small - any mantis-made burrow would collapse and therefore it could not reach the bottom. To create a "safe" burrow, add in a large U shaped piece of pvc in the sugar grain sand and you're all set. Throw in some shells and bits of larger crushed coral for them to use to shore up the entrance to their burrow.
Or you could pick up one of the smaller smasher species from the carribean.
Peacocks are beautiful but they don't call them thumbsplitters for fun.
....and introducing in this corner Tyson the tank smasher.
http://www.blueboard.com/mantis/sighting/report1.htm
I was thinking about a Mantis in a small tank too, until I read this.
http://www.blueboard.com/mantis/sighting/report1.htm
I was thinking about a Mantis in a small tank too, until I read this.
Read up here for potential species:
University California Museum of Paleontology - list of stromatopods for the aquarium
University California Museum of Paleontology - list of stromatopods for the aquarium