Mantis Tank

fiorano · #1 03-26-2009, 11:42 PM

i wouldnt go any smaller than a 30 gallon for a peacock. they're a pretty active mantis

GreenSpottedPuffer · #2 03-27-2009, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiorano

i wouldnt go any smaller than a 30 gallon for a peacock. they're a pretty active mantis

Well the idea (as mentioned) is a 2'x2' cube which is a 56G tank, so I think it will be fine. I may shave some off the height to make it a bit smaller but most have said the height shouldn't matter much. Might go 24"x24"x18".

justinl · #3 03-27-2009, 01:18 AM

Quote:

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 · #4 03-27-2009, 01:25 AM

listen to justinl he knows his mantids lol

GreenSpottedPuffer · #5 03-27-2009, 01:31 AM

Quote:

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 · #6 03-27-2009, 05:01 AM

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 · #7 03-27-2009, 09:44 AM

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

GreenSpottedPuffer · #8 03-27-2009, 01:28 AM

Quote:

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