Mantis tank build (Odontodactylus japonicus)

[Angelwolf21203]

You can name him Monacle.

 

[JasonK84]

You can name him Monacle.

;Pompus Hadn’t thought of a good name for it yet. Only a few of my tank critters have names.

 

[JasonK84]

A couple pics from this evening. Just waiting for new tank to finish cycling.

 

[Hugh Mann]

That is a very cool mantis shrimp. I've thought about getting one before, but have heard they can be a bit of a pain to care for. Any difficulties so far?

 

[JasonK84]

That is a very cool mantis shrimp. I've thought about getting one before, but have heard they can be a bit of a pain to care for. Any difficulties so far?

Just in the first couple weeks. It was on hunger strike and refused most food offerings. In hindsight I think it was due to it being close to molting. Since molting it’s become much more active making me realize how important a larger tank is. At first it didn’t move around and do much.

 

[Angelwolf21203]

;Pompus Hadn’t thought of a good name for it yet. Only a few of my tank critters have names.

He's so unique, he definitely needs a name! Detective Monacle McBarnicles, at your service!

 

[Angelwolf21203]

He's so unique, he definitely needs a name! Detective Monacle McBarnicles, at your service!

Or Monti for short!

 

[StatelineReefer]

You're right, from talking with other Mantis owners who have had theirs lose eyes, whether to a bad molt, infection, or damage, that eye will never grow back.

This only makes a mantis shrimp slightly less predatory, as each eye has three pupils. As far as a shrimp kicking the door in on a clam that has no half shell, that's just a mantis shrimp being a mantis shrimp. They take a 'better safe than sorry' mindset to prey...

Like in Zombieland... Always 'double tap'.

 

[JasonK84]

It went into its new setup on Monday and everything seams good. Starting to come out more and explore.

 

[Tl02022020]

Great setup! I love the colors on him too.

 

[Chefwheredyougo]

I bet he's hard to find in that tank! Perfect camo for him

 

[Goodair]

That mantis is beautiful!

 

[FreshwaterConvert]

You can also feed it gut-loaded ghost shrimp to your mantis shrimp or freshwater feeder fish, since both of this options can´t carry saltwater diseases. If you don't want to feed your mantis shrimp feshwater feeder fish, you can also freshwater-dip your saltwater damsels after acclimating them to make all parasites drop off.

For freshwater feeders would that be like guppies/livebearers? im a freshwater hobbyist whos wanting to breed livebearers but I also wanna get into saltwater, specifically mantis shrimp. Would those work for the mantis for food?

 

[Picasso the Triggerfish]

For freshwater feeders would that be like guppies/livebearers? im a freshwater hobbyist whos wanting to breed livebearers but I also wanna get into saltwater, specifically mantis shrimp. Would those work for the mantis for food?

It will work as live food easily for every carnivorous fish. There is a myth over here that freshwater feeder fish cause fatty liver but is false with the goldfish exception that gives a high quantity of lipid and causes thiamise related problems. The problem with saltwater feeders is saltwater feeders are quite expensive compared to freshwater ones and they can pass diseases to other saltwater fish, so for carnivorous fish that only accept live food we usually use ghost shrimp, guppies and mollies resist so well the enviroment, guppies and ghost shrimp are really easy to breed, and ghost shrimp are really unexpensive, a bag of 6 in liveaquaria costs just 1 buck

 

[JasonK84]

That mantis is beautiful!

Thanks!

 

[JasonK84]

Great setup! I love the colors on him too.

He seams to like it. He is able to hide without me being able to see him which I’m sure it appreciates. If ever a doubt on how it’s doing just stick feeding tongs in the hole! Or finger if nothing else is close by! JK

 

[JasonK84]

I bet he's hard to find in that tank! Perfect camp for him

Yeah, I’m sure he likes this setup and being able to be seen only when he wants to be seen. Tank needs some movement. Queue the sacrificial damsels! I’ll get some and put through QT soon.

 

[Chefwheredyougo]

He seams to like it. He is able to hide without me being able to see him which I’m sure it appreciates. If ever a doubt on how it’s doing just stick feeding tongs in the hole! Or finger if nothing else is close by! JK

That gif is exactly how I picture owning a mantis would be ha

 

[najer]

I help at my lfs sometimes, the last peacock was only ever given clams whole, it gives them something to do!
Gorgeous creature, I have been tempted for years.

 

[Dcal]

Any updates?