Mantis Tank

[justinl]

Originally Posted by GreenSpottedPuffer

Might go 24"x24"x18".

I would actually encourage this over a true 2ft cube. 18" just makes maintenance a lot easier on the arms. And yes, as mentioned, footprint is far more important really.

[fiorano]

listen to justinl he knows his mantids lol

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by fiorano

listen to justinl he knows his mantids lol

Well I think you were right too, that they need at least a 30G to be happy. They do get a decent size.

When you were saying active, what do you mean by that? Are they nocturnal? Or will they be out and about during the day? In an aquarium?

I ask because I have kept many 'nocturnal' fishes that are not so nocturnal in captivity. Like puffers.

[justinl]

Sure you're welcome over any time. ...well, as long as im not at school or work of course. pm sent.

Some mantids are nocturnal but the vast majority are diurnal; O. scyllarus is no exception. Or more accurately, it is crepuscular. I find it is most active in the morning when the light is not its brightest; sometimes active after lights out but not often. I admit it is hard to define activity in a mantis as they will mostly stay in the burrow, wait for you to come see them and then (if they know you are the bringer of food) they will come out to the glass and wait for food for a minute. Or, you might walk up to the aquarium and it will be walking around on the sand; when it notices you it will run back to its burrow and watch you. A large amount of joy mantis keepers get is the undeniable awareness that they receive from a mantis; it is an odd feeling to see a mantis track your movements, completely aware of you. they judge you with their eyes.

[spoot]

Take a look at this, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHTTIg7HY80

[urbanhellfire]

Originally Posted by spoot

Take a look at this, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHTTIg7HY80

That was very cool

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by spoot

Take a look at this, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHTTIg7HY80

Wow! Thanks Newt, thats some amazing footage they have of the Mantis striking. 45MPH under water. Incredible.

So have you guys observed what she says about the shrimps behavior before they molt in your tanks? Do they get "obnoxious" and start smashing everything in sight? Do they then start to wave and signal during their molt as a bluff?

[The Codfather]

I do not see any difference in thier behavior, mine are mad all the time. As soon as i approach the tank, they signal and threaten. Until they relize i am there to feed them. Then they swim to the surface and patiently wait for their meal.

[sitandwatch]

That was a really cool video, and I am glad that I removed the one from my tank.

I think a specimen tank would be really cool one day.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by justinl

I would actually encourage this over a true 2ft cube. 18" just makes maintenance a lot easier on the arms. And yes, as mentioned, footprint is far more important really.

Ok, cool.

Can I come by and see your mantis one of these days? I am very curious to see what I am getting into...or what my fiance is getting me into