Steph's 10g nps/macro/mantis

StephLionfish · Feb 7, 2013

Hello, everyone. Last year I set up a 20g for my mantis (a P. ciliata) that was macro dominant, and had some easy nps corals.

Macro/mantis tank by Tree_Roots, on Flickr

IMG_1077 by Tree_Roots, on Flickr

Mantis by Tree_Roots, on Flickr

Shortly (half a year maybe) after, she died (of what I can only assume was old age). A little while later, I got a N. wennerae for the tank, but he turned out to be semi reclusive, and it just wasn't worth it, to me, to keep the tank up for such a small mantis that I could never see. So, I downgraded. I went out and bought a 10g, set it up, had it cycling and all was well until a month later, the silicone started disintegrating. I took the tank back, got another one from a different company (free) and so far everything's been cool. Now, I'm very simplistic.. All of my nanos have had simple HOB filters and T5 lighting.

IMG_7207 by Tree_Roots, on Flickr

10g by Tree_Roots, on Flickr

10g by Tree_Roots, on Flickr

I'm going to order some food for the corals, as well as a Koralia Nano for the tank, soon. The lighting is probably the worst kind for fish aquariums (I don't even know what it is.. I found it in a pile o' junk), but it'll have to do for now *shrug*

Here's the mantis, still in his 20g-

Neogonodactylus wennerae by Tree_Roots, on Flickr

I'll post more pics if anyone want to see 'em.

revhtree · Feb 7, 2013

Wow what a cool tank! Love it.

Dixie_reefer · Feb 7, 2013

How funny, after our move to el paso this summer I was going to put everything in my 36 and make my 10 a macro tank. I just didnt know what livestock I was going to have in it. Now I just might get a mantis! Looking good!

ritter6788 · Feb 7, 2013

Love the mantis pics!

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StephLionfish · Feb 7, 2013

Thanks, guys

Dixie, wenneraes are pretty easy to find and are usually interactive. I'd shoot for one of them.
This was my first one.. I think I overfed it (rotted from the inside). It's made improvement, believe it or not.

IMG_7309 by Tree_Roots, on Flickr

IMG_7302 by Tree_Roots, on Flickr

This one was a rescue from last month.
When I got it-

Tubastrea by Tree_Roots, on Flickr

Now

Good morning by Tree_Roots, on Flickr

StephLionfish · Feb 10, 2013

Moving the mantis!

IMG_7360 by Tree_Roots, on Flickr

revsgirl · Feb 11, 2013

Very cool!

Isoprene · Feb 11, 2013

what do u feed the mantis and how often? very cool tank!

StephLionfish · Feb 11, 2013

Krill or silversides every 3 days. Thanks

SNAKEMANVET · Feb 11, 2013

Cool mantis,I need to get another one.Tank looks nice.

Reef Fever · Feb 11, 2013

cool tank steph...i love the pic of the mantis peaking over the leaf

StephLionfish · Feb 11, 2013

Thanks, guys

Mantis by Tree_Roots, on Flickr

Mantis by Tree_Roots, on Flickr

Still alive-

Hermit by Tree_Roots, on Flickr

More shockingly-

Peppy by Tree_Roots, on Flickr

Isoprene · Feb 11, 2013

so this species of mantis does kill snails I take it? do they all? cool pics, makes me want one!

StephLionfish · Feb 12, 2013

There's two kinds- Smashers and Spearers. Smashers (which is what I and most people have due to care and availability) are designed to crack open shells. Spearers go for the soft bodied prey (fish/shrimp), altho my ciliata (spearer) used to pull hermits out of their shells.
I plan on moving the peppy shrimp out of the tank, but it's surprising to me that it's still alive... I'm almost tempted just to see how long it lasts.

Isoprene, if you can, check out the mantis in person. You don't want to end up setting a species tank and your mantis turn out reclusive.