Improvised mantis tank.

Zoey · May 4, 2016

Awww thats perfect! so glad to see people giving them a home instead of flushing them! Best mantis set up ive seen, well done

Naiad · May 5, 2016

So for the first time ever I have baby crabs that survived their first night! Don't know what they eat and I think they are starving but hey not eaten is a step up!

P.s. added phytoplankton. Don't know if it will help them any but it is all I have handy.

powers2001 · May 6, 2016

That is a pencil urchin. No clue to scientific name.

Naiad · May 7, 2016

The mantis is settled in now. He is making caves in and under all the rocks. I'll upload a short video later. I found a "baby" picture of when I pulled him from the tank. I am amazed by how much they change colors.

Out of ocean

A few months in qt.

Hopefully I can get a full shot of him in his new tank soon

ncaldwell · May 7, 2016

You can build a PVC tunnel system for them and they will stay there without rearanging to much. Mine stays put for a few months now

ncaldwell · May 7, 2016

Alucard · May 7, 2016

Maybe Neogonodactylus wennerae? I believe those are more common. Where did the rock come from

Naiad · May 7, 2016

Alucard said:
Maybe Neogonodactylus wennerae? I believe those are more common. Where did the rock come from

Gulf coast. I think you may be right. As he is growing he is getting bands on his arms that seem to match wennerae. I just know nothing about how to a confirmed id.

Naiad · May 7, 2016

http://s1270.photobucket.com/user/n... Uploads/20160507_101237_zpsswvqdadw.mp4.html

Alucard · May 7, 2016

Naiad said:
Gulf coast. I think you may be right. As he is growing he is getting bands on his arms that seem to match wennerae. I just know nothing about how to a confirmed id.

He's an active little guy! I'm not an expert by any means, just a Stomatopods enthusiat with some experience. I use Roy's list: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthropoda/crustacea/malacostraca/eumalacostraca/royslist/
I actually had a n.wnnerae for a while a couple years ago but had to give him away because I moved. Appreciate you giving your hitch hiker a home!

philfree · May 7, 2016

powers2001 said:
What are you looking into for staple food? I know eBay has saltwater feeder shrimp I'm looking into for a frogfish tank.

were you able to find a descent seller?

Naiad · May 7, 2016

philfree said:
were you able to find a descent seller?

This place is a bit pricey but good service and sells food for all size appetites. I bought through them last time. I am going to try a cheaper place that just does the shrimp and see how it compares.

http://www.aquaculturestore.com/Shore-Shrimp.html

Naiad · May 12, 2016

So all three shrimp are alive. The peppermint has failed to take care of my apstasia problem. It may be the wrong type of shrimp or he is just in too much fear for his life. Ironically the mantis is also afraid of the other shrimps. Need a new plan...

wranodj99 · May 12, 2016

I have 2 that came in on TB Live Rock in my QT. I get a shrimp from the super market, when the counter guy stops laughing, and then put in a piece every couple of days. So far, just bare bottom with pic and live rock. These guys can really move.

NeiDan · May 12, 2016

Yeah looks like a N. Wennerae to me as well. Good mantis, has no problem with strong lighting. You might have some luck with a fish if you feed the mantis well, especially if it's quick and spends it's time in the water column. Just don't put in something you'd hate to lose

Naiad · May 12, 2016

Cowards! Get down and clean the rock [emoji35]

Naiad · May 12, 2016

NeiDan said:
Yeah looks like a N. Wennerae to me as well. Good mantis, has no problem with strong lighting. You might have some luck with a fish if you feed the mantis well, especially if it's quick and spends it's time in the water column. Just don't put in something you'd hate to lose

Good I will likely get a light that handles soft corals to spruce things up then. He is very docile. Leaves everything but snails alone. I feed him chunks of krill or squid every other day. I hope that is enough.

NeiDan · May 12, 2016

Naiad said:
Good I will likely get a light that handles soft corals to spruce things up then. He is very docile. Leaves everything but snails alone. I feed him chunks of krill or squid every other day. I hope that is enough.

Once every 2-3 days is a good schedule. Don't rely too much on krill, and I'd recommend soaking the food in selcon once a week. That seems to help make molting a little smoother for them.

rayn · May 12, 2016

This is cool! So glad you decided to keep him and set a tank just for him

Tateopotatoe · May 13, 2016

Naiad said:
So all three shrimp are alive. The peppermint has failed to take care of my apstasia problem. It may be the wrong type of shrimp or he is just in too much fear for his life. Ironically the mantis is also afraid of the other shrimps. Need a new plan...

You could always try some neudibranchs, I doubt the Maris shrimp wants something posinious