New Mantis Shrimp

[moneypit]

I went to Manhattan Aquariums for some food and walked out with a Mantis. So i had a watchman goby in the tank prior to the mantis and i couldnt net him out so i said screw'em. However after 2 days with the mantis i tried again and he swam into the net as easy as 123 and i was in such disbelief that i dropped him back in by accident. Didnt matter he was more than happy to try again and now hes in my 55. So if you need to get a fish out of your tank just drop a 5" Mantis in , works wonders .

Dinner time ..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKWILuNQ12U

 

[jr973]

Yea I could imagine haveing that beast in the tank I don't see any fish wanting to saty in there those mantis are vicous I saw a video on you tube last night as a matter of fact on mantis shrimps one was a kid pettin 1 and hand feeding it another was a mantis shrimp fighting a huge octopus and actually winnin the fight. Nice video 1 question I have heard of mantis shrimp being capable of breakin glass hope your tank is tough

 

[duke62]

mantis in a glass tank..good luck.

 

[moneypit]

Yeah im a little worried about that also. Hes in a 29 gal biocube but im going to pickup a 30 gal. acrylic asap.

 

[duke62]

i dont know how worried you are but you can get a little critter keeper and drop it in your 29 gallon and leave him in there till you get a acylic tank

 

[moneypit]

Im hoping ill have one tomorrow, if not then i might be doing the critter keeper or trying to put some plexiglass under the sand. Friggin impulse purchases...

 

[Exotic Reef]

same here i saw a video on youtube the guy is watching his mantis then turns off the light the mantis starts hitting the glass, also that clicking sound it feels like a 22 bullet when he hits you !

 

[JARRETT SHARK]

I also saw them at MA, they are sure scarry!!!
I was thinking of putting one in my fuge but i hate the sound they make

 

[MIKE NY]

yup saw them at MA also...very cool, but get that acrylic tank ASAP

 

[Mattl22]

Isn't the bio cube acrylic ?

 

[moneypit]

I wish

 

[lfsmarineguy]

Biocubes are glass. I doubt that a kritter keeper would be able to contain a 5" mantis if it wanted out, the plastic is cheap and brittle. Acrylic can flex which helps absorb the blow even at smaller widths.

 

[MIKE NY]

I think the two beauties that I saw were bigger than 5"s ..at first glance I thought they were lobsters.....LOL

 

[REEF ADDICT]

hey love the video damn soo tempting..feel like taking the other one if its still there when i go back to work...

 

[duke62]

The critter keeper will keep his glass tank safe.if it hits the glass tank it will crack and leak.if it hits the critter keeper it may crack but wont explode.its a good way to protect his bio cube temporarily

 

[smoq]

Great video BTW. I am highly interested in this intelligent invertebrate, it has the most complicated eye in the animal kingdom. Here is some good read if anyone's interested http://scubageek.com/articles/mantis_eye.pdf

My Nikon would love this guy

 

[JARRETT SHARK]

I think the two beauties that I saw were bigger than 5"s ..at first glance I thought they were lobsters.....LOL

x2

 

[moneypit]

He made himself a split level duplex..... He looks nice and settled in , hes gonna be pissed when I pull it apart.
BTW...thanks to everyone for all the input.

 

[moneypit]

Aughhhhh...... ..... I found him on his side in his den, so i turned the lights on and he came out for a sec and then went right back into his den and on his side again. Would i be wrong to assume hes molting, laying eggs, or is he in trouble and dying . I shut the lights off , anything else i should look for.