Mantis Tank For Dorm.

Discussion in 'Inverts' started by hdog, Aug 7, 2015.

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  1. hdog

    hdog Astrea Snail

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    YO. ITs been a while since I've been on this site, but I'm heading to university in the next few months and I was thinking about putting together a little 10 gallon or so aquarium on my desk. It's really what I need to have for my own sanity. Since I'll be gone for winter break and such, I've decided to get a small mantis shrimp so that I can keep the tank running while I'm gone and just pack his tank with limpets, snails, and such when I'm out of town.
    The question I have, is how much filtration is needed, as well as what type of mantis is the most playful inquisitive, and big enough to see, yet small enough to live in a smaller tank?
    From what I remember, the common ones are chiragra, smithii, that one related to the peacock.. havenensis?, and a few others?
    What is the best mantis you guys have kept?
    Thanks a lot, and Ill post concept drawings of what I plan on everything looking like if y'all are interested.
     
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  3. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    Boy I have not seen a Mantis thread in forever.

    Bump for those that have Mantis experience.
     
    hdog likes this.
  4. oldfishkeeper

    oldfishkeeper Giant Squid

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    It sounds like a great idea! I wish I knew more about them other than they are too cool lol - another bump for you!
     
  5. hdog

    hdog Astrea Snail

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    So I'm thinking either a mr. Aqua cube? so only like 7.5 gallons, or another smaller rimless aquarium. THe main goal is to keep filtration and noise as quiet and least visible and compact as possible.
     
  6. Va Reef

    Va Reef Giant Squid

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    O. havanensis for sure. Basically a tiny peacock mantis, very active and smart and such. I kept one in a biocube 14. I would highly recommend that tank for a dorm. Very quiet and compact and such.

    No matter what tank you choose, I highly suggest getting the havanensis. The others you listed tend to be more reclusive ime.
     
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  7. ccardini

    ccardini Bristle Worm

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    Have you looked into the all in one options? Innovative Marine makes a 10 gallon. All the equipment goes into the back sump area so you wouldn't see any equipment.
     
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  9. AnotherMike

    AnotherMike Fire Worm

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    This might be dumb or old fish stories, but I thought I read about mantis being able to break the glass in small tanks. Any truth to that?
     
  10. Va Reef

    Va Reef Giant Squid

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    A provoked peacock can. Dr. Roy over at Berkley (leading stomatopod researcher) wrote an article about this myth a while back. Basically summing up that mantis are very smart and accurate creatures. They're not gonna miss a crab and hit the glass, and they're not going to just randomly decide to hit the glass one day. The only time they have is when the owner provokes a strike on the glass, and again, it has to be a large mantis. I got hit by my little guy (3") and it was more surprising than painful.
     
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  11. Swisswiss

    Swisswiss Caribbean Reef Squid

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  12. zesty

    zesty Sailfin Tang

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    I love that comic!!
     
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