Mantis (Smithii) Pictures
 

I got some more pictures of my Mantis today. Light years better than my previous pictures of this guy, but definately still room for improvement. I believe it's a Gonodactylus smithii. Thanks for the ID rudy!!

http://www.members.shaw.ca/molino/Mi...antis-700w.jpg

http://www.members.shaw.ca/molino/Mi..._3962-700w.jpg

http://www.members.shaw.ca/molino/Mi...antis-700w.jpg

http://www.members.shaw.ca/molino/Mi...antis-700w.jpg

Hopefully you enjoyed the pictures!

Great pics Nelson!!
Would love to see a full mantis shot if you can ever get one.
Try luring him out with some tasty escargot.. :razz:

I'd like to be able to get a full body shot as well, but that will be very challenging. I hope he becomes more outgoing once he puts on some size.

Cool photos.

Go
 

Here's a picture of mine. I figure it'll eventually turn bright green, since they are usually maroon in deeper waters, which is likely where mine came from.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...s/mantis03.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...s/mantis07.jpg
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those things look sinister...yet pretty at the same time.lol

do they eat all hermits, snails, and anything else along the bottom of the tank?

haha.. they'll eat a lot more than that.

i saw some videos on youtube of them in action.lol

one vs some type of crab, another versus an emerald crab.

i have to say that i laughed quite hard.

they're evil buggers.

how big do they get?

Cool pictures Flusher. I like the colours on your guy, looks very nice. Mine is the same green all the way to his tail.

In terms of what they'll eat, I think they'll eat most any edible food they can catch. Mine has been eating frozen mysis shrimp and some pellets for now. There is a much larger resident Hermit Crab in his tank which may someday become lunch... :twised:

The Smithii will get as large as 3". Some species will be smaller and there are some that will be larger.

Here is some great info and pictures:
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthrop...html#directory

Go
 

Hey Molino, how active is your mantis?

Mine was quite active at first, but it seems to have withdrawn to its den since I redid the rockwork in the tank. I figure it might not like the simple aquascaping, or it might be about to moult.

Here's my mantis tank (6 gallon display / 2 gallon sump):

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...antistank1.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...antistank2.jpg
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Hi Flusher,

I've only had my Mantis for a month so it's hard to say. When I first got him he was a little more active, but that's probably because he was exploring the tank and digging out his lair. It took about 1 1/2 to 2 weeks to molt and since then he has stayed on or mostly in the piece of Live Rock.

Hopefully once he gets larger he will also become more outgoing and spend more time outside of the Live Rock.

Great job on your tank by the way. Looks like a nice home for a Mantis and you did some great DIY work on that tank as well!

nice aptasia tank! ;) lol

Go
 

The aipstasia is a super cheap (read: free) alternative to corals. They attach immediately, so I never really have to put my hands in the tank to straighten frags that get knocked over and risk getting smacked in the fingers. Also, it cuts back on mixing new water since I use old water from my larger nano reef when changing water in this tank. Aipstasia is a great natural filter. :wink:

I've had my mantis for about 7 weeks, so maybe it isn't quite at home yet.

Let's see some pics of your set-up, Molino. (Aw, I just saw a pic on RC.com. Ha ha.)
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