Mantis Shrimp with other Fish?

[Reef Devils]

I am thinking about getting a Peacock Mantis Shrimp. Can you put a fish in the tank with it? What are the care requirements for this shrimp? What size tank?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I love how helpful this forum is, but honestly, if you copy/paste your question into google, thousands of great articles will pop up.

"So, can you keep Mantis shrimp with small fish, crabs, snails, shrimp, etc? The short answer is – yes, but only as food.

Mantis shrimp earn a bad reputation but they are fascinating creatures for a species-only aquarium. They will eat absolutely anything they can catch (Spearer Mantis shrimp) or destroy (Smasher Mantis shrimp). "

Mantis Shrimp as an Aquarium Pet. Care Guide - Shrimp and Snail Breeder

If you are interested in keeping Mantis Shrimp as an aquarium pet or want to learn more about these creatures, this care guide will tell everything you need

aquariumbreeder.com

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

I am thinking about getting a Peacock Mantis Shrimp. Can you put a fish in the tank with it? What are the care requirements for this shrimp? What size tank?

Unless you want/are okay with the fish being eaten, no - mantis shrimp (Stomatopods) are generally very effective predators, so they're usually kept in a species only aquarium (meaning a tank just for the one mantis shrimp and nothing else).

I've only read up a little bit on the care for these guys, but they need a burrow (typically provided in the form of PVC pipe in our aquariums), meaty foods, and to be left alone when molting (they typically seal themselves into their burrows to molt).

If I recall correctly, they need a minimum size of 40 gallons (they're relatively big and messy eaters); they need some rocks and such to seal off their burrow (I believe the burrow is typically U-shaped); and (again, IIRC) they may or may not develop shell rot at least in part because of strong lighting (so weak/ambient lighting is typically recommended - the relationship between lighting and shell rot seems to be correlation rather than causation).

For more info, I'd recommend looking through the forum linked below:

Mantis Shrimp

A place to talk about everything Mantis Shrimp

www.reef2reef.com

 

[blaxsun]

And don't get punched (apparently it hurts like a *****...)...

 

[Reef Devils]

Unless you want/are okay with the fish being eaten, no - mantis shrimp (Stomatopods) are generally very effective predators, so they're usually kept in a species only aquarium (meaning a tank just for the one mantis shrimp and nothing else).

I've only read up a little bit on the care for these guys, but they need a burrow (typically provided in the form of PVC pipe in our aquariums), meaty foods, and to be left alone when molting (they typically seal themselves into their burrows to molt).

If I recall correctly, they need a minimum size of 40 gallons (they're relatively big and messy eaters); they need some rocks and such to seal off their burrow (I believe the burrow is typically U-shaped); and (again, IIRC) they may or may not develop shell rot at least in part because of strong lighting (so weak/ambient lighting is typically recommended - the relationship between lighting and shell rot seems to be correlation rather than causation).

For more info, I'd recommend looking through the forum linked below:

Mantis Shrimp

A place to talk about everything Mantis Shrimp

www.reef2reef.com

Thanks for the help I appreciate it

 

[Reef Devils]

I love how helpful this forum is, but honestly, if you copy/paste your question into google, thousands of great articles will pop up.

"So, can you keep Mantis shrimp with small fish, crabs, snails, shrimp, etc? The short answer is – yes, but only as food.

Mantis shrimp earn a bad reputation but they are fascinating creatures for a species-only aquarium. They will eat absolutely anything they can catch (Spearer Mantis shrimp) or destroy (Smasher Mantis shrimp). "

Mantis Shrimp as an Aquarium Pet. Care Guide - Shrimp and Snail Breeder

If you are interested in keeping Mantis Shrimp as an aquarium pet or want to learn more about these creatures, this care guide will tell everything you need

aquariumbreeder.com

I have seen a video with the mantis shrimp with a Threespot dascyllus damsel.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

I have seen a video with the mantis shrimp with a Threespot dascyllus damsel.

Yeah, some people keeps damsels with their mantises to add some movement; they tend to use damsels specifically because the damsels are fast (meaning they have a decent chance of not getting caught by the mantis) and they're cheap (so if they do get caught, it's only a small financial loss).

That said, even with damsels it's typically viewed in the light of "it works until it doesn't" - meaning the damsel will almost certainly get taken out at some point: it could be immediately, it could be a day or two, or it could be several years down the line - you just don't know until it happens.

 

[Reef Devils]

Yeah, some people keeps damsels with their mantises to add some movement; they tend to use damsels specifically because the damsels are fast (meaning they have a decent chance of not getting caught by the mantis) and they're cheap (so if they do get caught, it's only a small financial loss).

That said, even with damsels it's typically viewed in the light of "it works until it doesn't" - meaning the damsel will almost certainly get taken out at some point: it could be immediately, it could be a day or two, or it could be several years down the line - you just don't know until it happens.

Ok good to know thanks

 

[Reef Devils]

Wh

Yeah, some people keeps damsels with their mantises to add some movement; they tend to use damsels specifically because the damsels are fast (meaning they have a decent chance of not getting caught by the mantis) and they're cheap (so if they do get caught, it's only a small financial loss).

That said, even with damsels it's typically viewed in the light of "it works until it doesn't" - meaning the damsel will almost certainly get taken out at some point: it could be immediately, it could be a day or two, or it could be several years down the line - you just don't know until it happens.

at size tank do you recommend and what kind of filtration

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Wh

at size tank do you recommend and what kind of filtration

The most frequently recommended tank size that I've seen is 40 gallons; I've heard you can get away with as small as 100 liters (~26 gallons), but it's not recommended.

Filtration recommendations seem to run the gamut for mantis shrimp; I've seen recommendations for HOB filters, canister filters, purely biofiltration without any mechanical filtration, etc. - if you do the biofiltration right, you shouldn't need to worry about mechanical filtration methods; if you go with mechanical filtration, you basically just need to maintain the mechanical filtration and it should work fine too.

 

[Reef Devils]

The most frequently recommended tank size that I've seen is 40 gallons; I've heard you can get away with as small as 100 liters (~26 gallons), but it's not recommended.

Filtration recommendations seem to run the gamut for mantis shrimp; I've seen recommendations for HOB filters, canister filters, purely biofiltration without any mechanical filtration, etc. - if you do the biofiltration right, you shouldn't need to worry about mechanical filtration methods; if you go with mechanical filtration, you basically just need to maintain the mechanical filtration and it should work fine too.

Thanks for the help

 

[TripFamAZ]

I have seen a video with the mantis shrimp with a Threespot dascyllus damsel.

If you ever watch TucanAquatics videos on YouTube he often keeps a single damselfish in with his mantis. He also has great videos on TikTok if you’re on it.
It all depends on the personality of the mantis. It might tolerate one for a year and then one day decide not. It’s really dependent on the temperament, size of the enclosure and age.
My peacock mantis currently lives with several small hermits and two emerald crabs. He’s just a baby still though.

 

[Reef Devils]

If you ever watch TucanAquatics videos on YouTube he often keeps a single damselfish in with his mantis. He also has great videos on TikTok if you’re on it.
It all depends on the personality of the mantis. It might tolerate one for a year and then one day decide not. It’s really dependent on the temperament, size of the enclosure and age.
My peacock mantis currently lives with several small hermits and two emerald crabs. He’s just a baby still though.

Where can you buy a peacock mantis shrimp?

 

[TripFamAZ]

Where can you buy a peacock mantis shrimp?

I commented on your other thread to check with Alex at Reef Exclusive.

 

[Northern Flicker]

Don't get a Mantis unless you are willing to keep it alone, forever.