Mantis Shrimp Behaviour

[untamed]

My system is...If I see a mantis, he's hungry. If he's completely out of his hiding spot and moving around the tank, then he's really hungry.

[Moogled]

Hey untamed, that's exactly what's happening.

He's coming out of his burrow once every hour, bumbles around and goes home. I have a piece of shrimp in there but he's not taking it. I hope I can wean him onto frozen food because I just don't have the time to feed him live food like ghost shrimp and fiddlers.

[justinl]

well if you dont want to have him eat live, then dont feed it live. then he cant acquire a taste for it. keep tryin frozen... like rudy said, it's probably just gettin used to the tank is all.

[Moogled]

Pictures now!

[rudy]

I woke up this morning and the idiot stick hit me in the head....I bet you any money he is getting ready to molt.

[Moogled]

Update: Day 5

Mantis is now out and about frequently, no doubt looking for food. Still not accepting the krill/shrimp that I put in there. Picks it out of his burrow and throws it away.

He'll cave - I know it.

[untamed]

Originally Posted by Moogled

Update: Day 5

Mantis is now out and about frequently, no doubt looking for food. Still not accepting the krill/shrimp that I put in there. Picks it out of his burrow and throws it away.

He'll cave - I know it.

None of mine have ever been fussy. They've always like frozen krill. (thawed, of course)

You can also just ensure you have a good population of hermit crabs in there. That way, they'll have plenty of hunting and you'll get lots of entertainment!