Mantissssss!

[BestMomEver]

I bought some KP Aquatics live rock and I'm pretty sure I have a mantis hitchhiker. I've bought fresh-out-of-the-water rock before and got a mantis then as well so I'm not surprised. My question is this.... this tank will be a dedicated anemone/clown tank. Is there any reason to remove the mantis, either now or later? They're a pain to trap but I've done it before. But if there arent any small inverts in the tank for him to kill, will he be ok or will he start munching on my nems?

 

[BestMomEver]

Hello out there in R2R land! Anyone?

 

[Lasse]

I would keep the hitchhiker until it shows up that it will attack the clowns. IMO -he/she will not do that and it will be an interesting ad on to your tank. IMO - more interesting than clowns

Sincerely Lasse

 

[BestMomEver]

I would keep the hitchhiker until it shows up that it will attack the clowns. IMO -he/she will not do that and it will be an interesting ad on to your tank. IMO - more interesting than clowns

Sincerely Lasse

I was thinking the same. It appears to be a common Caribbean green mantis. I don’t think they get as big as a peacock. As long as he behaves, I’m thinking he can stay. He may even starve if I have no inverts for him to eat. Are they strict carnivores or are they detrivores as well?

 

[Super Fly]

I've had mantis hitchhikers from live rock that came directly from the ocean and it never touched my anemones nor snails but did eat a lot of porcelain crabs.

 

[Lasse]

I was thinking the same. It appears to be a common Caribbean green mantis. I don’t think they get as big as a peacock. As long as he behaves, I’m thinking he can stay. He may even starve if I have no inverts for him to eat. Are they strict carnivores or are they detrivores as well?

I do not really know - it can depends on the species - but my general thought is always - hunger is the best spice

Sincerely Lasse

 

[dwest]

I bought some KP Aquatics live rock and I'm pretty sure I have a mantis hitchhiker. I've bought fresh-out-of-the-water rock before and got a mantis then as well so I'm not surprised. My question is this.... this tank will be a dedicated anemone/clown tank. Is there any reason to remove the mantis, either now or later? They're a pain to trap but I've done it before. But if there arent any small inverts in the tank for him to kill, will he be ok or will he start munching on my nems?

I'd trap him. Every time you lose a snail or small fish you will wonder... could it be the mantis???