Mantis Shrimp Behaviour

Moogled · #1 05-25-2007, 01:58 AM

Thanks rudy for the Ciliata!

I now have a mantis shrimp in my 20 gallon. First off, some questions:

1. It always approaches the side of the tank. When he gets there, he kind of bumps stupidly against the glass and then walks away. Is this normal?

2. What is a bad sign that a mantis shrimp will not make it? This guy is kind of out and about, but I'm very paranoid ever since I lost my first mantis shrimp.

3. The P. Ciliata is a spearer, so a sandbed is a must. Right now it's a barebottom tank but I will be buying sand tomorrow. Will he be okay for now?

Thanks in advance,

Marco

UPDATE: PICTURES!!

justinl · #2 05-25-2007, 06:37 AM

congrats on the mantis, but i dunno... i cant really trust that you actually have one without some pics!

1. i dont think its a problem. one of two things are happening. hes just figuring out where the tank boundaries are, or hes challenging his reflection in the glass. nothing to worry bout.

2. specific mantis worries are shell disease (treatable), algae growing on it (very often fatal), or the mantis sitting out in the open curled up in a tight ball all the time and not just as a response (often fatal).

3. here's a link with the best mantis species info available. read it. according to it P ciliata will burrow under the rock, in the sand. so i would go with a sand bed of at least 2 inches but preferably 3-4. in the short term, BB will be fine.

rudy · #3 05-25-2007, 01:42 PM

He is fine Marco. He is testing out his barriers. If he is moving he is fine. Ciliata will actually curl up and play dead if stressed. This is when you should worry. He would only do that when you first drop him in the tank.

Go buy the little guy a fiddler crab and let him do his thing.

BTW he does not have a drop of shell disease. He is incredibly healthy

Moogled · #4 05-25-2007, 03:14 PM

This guy is so cool. I don't think he's even begun to come out yet.

I didn't bother acclimating him because I made sure my SG was the same as Rudy's several hours before I went to pick him up.

During the ride home, he was peeking at me from the bucket on the ground. I created a little alcove for him using 2 pieces of LR and some rubble (also provided by rudy!). Now he's just hanging out in his PVC pipe and peeks under the rock to check things out if I get too close.

Moogled · #5 05-27-2007, 05:21 AM

Hmm...the ciliata doesn't seem to be eating the krill that I put onto a stick to feed him. I can have the krill directly in front of him and he just ignores it.

What else should I try feeding a spearer? Chromis?

rudy · #6 05-27-2007, 01:21 PM

Admitedly I have not fed him on a stick for a while so that could be a bit of the issue, but also Krill. He has never really ate that. Try piece of shrimp.

He also would kill (literally) for ghost shrimp

Psyire · #7 05-27-2007, 02:14 PM

I've never kept a spearer but my smashers have always ate the following...

Krill, Scallops, Mysis, Silversides, Clams (from Superstore), Hitchhiker Crabs

It should eat something off that list. I would start with Silversides. (no need to feed Chromis)

justinl · #8 05-27-2007, 06:33 PM

i used to stick feed my smasher but after a while i didnt bother. just drop the food nearish the burrow and he'll find it.

+1 on the silversides or grocery bought shrimp. just be sure the shrimp is uncooked and unseasoned. it is a good idea to rinse the shrimp off very well after thawing. i would try feeding a few different frozens before going to live just because im cheap.

Moogled · #9 05-27-2007, 07:47 PM

Thanks guys, I'll try mussels or something. Rudy said that this ciliata loves them.

The reason I was hesitant about other frozen foods is because I only have krill and frozen brine shrimp. If the ciliata doesn't eat the frozen brine shrimp, then I'd end up with a tank polluted with the stuff and have to do a WC.

Will try the silversides suggestions. Thanks.

Am I safe in assuming that spearers eat nothing with shells like crabs and snails since they can't break them open?

PS: Pics soming soon!

justinl · #10 05-27-2007, 07:57 PM

yeah mantids wont bother with food that is too small like brine shimp. keep an eye on how much of the mussel the mantis eats as bivalves can foul a tank faster than most other food.

spearers wont generally bother hermits or snails unless they can pull the thing out of the shell (which is rare). they can actually hunt down crabs quite well by spearing the crabs belly.