SHOW OFF YOUR MANTIS SHRIMP!!

[madweazl]

I would love to have one to show the kids in my traveling tanks. Would any work in a 6g?

Most would; not sure how well they'll travel though.

 

[VR28man]

There are tons of smaller species that are perfectly fine to keep in reef tanks. I had three of the H. trispinosa (pictured above) in our 50g reef; they never bugged anything.

Are you saying its a reef-safe mantis shrimp?

 

[DeniseAndy]

I currently travel with a 6g full reef and everything does really well. Except me after having to lift from cart to table, but I keep it very stable and level. Pistol will sometimes get mad, but mostly everything does not even move much. 4 yr experience moving little tanks to classrooms has taught me many tricks.

Thanks for the input. I will get a picture up when I get one.

 

[K. Steven]

I would love to have one to show the kids in my traveling tanks. Would any work in a 6g?

I had mine pictured above in a 5.5 gallon.

 

[savetheocean]

I want one now

 

[Nezmo]

Here's some pics capped from one of our videos my wife shot in Bali:

 

[itisjp]

I fell in love with these shrimp years before I got into saltwater. They’re super fascinating.

I’m not sure if it’s all species of mantis shrimp, or only some, but they have 16 different chromatic receptive cells in their eyes.
We only have 3 and see 6 (does indigo really count? I love Isaac Newton but he just had a thing for the number 7.) different colors.

Not to mention the ones that can create cavacation bubbles!

They’re amazing creatures.

You might want to check out radiolab.org they have a podcast episode about the Mantis and it’s vision called Ripping the rainbow.

 

[Joe Rogers]

You might want to check out radiolab.org they have a podcast episode about the Mantis and it’s vision called Ripping the rainbow.

They actually just published a revised version last week. I would highly recommend listening to it for anyone curious about what a Mantis shrimp "sees". The sad news are that we may have grossly overestimated their abilities. Mantis Shrimp appear to be very bad at identifying colors as we see them. But they also mentioned a paper coming out that might prove the Mantis Shrimp's ability to communicate using forms of light that are not visible to most animals. Super interesting stuff!!

 

[Joe Rogers]

Here is my 20 long that I have set up for a Peacock Mantis Shrimp. He is the only creature in there, and I have had a blast keeping him so far. Excuse the algae, these things are very messy eaters. I don't even worry about eliminating algae because this tank is all about the Mantis. The bottom of this tank is lined with acrylic. The PVC burrow has multiple exits and is coated in sand to give it a natural look. I had a great aquascape initially that hid the pipe, but the Mantis chose to burrow right next to it ;Facepalm. One of my favorite things to do is toss an emerald in here and watch the carnage. He is not shy by any measure. If you come to the tank he will run right up to the glass!

 

[Harleybronco67]

Here’s mine

 

[User1]

Hands down some of my favorite things to keep; cant wait to have some more in the tank.

Haptosquilla trispinosa from our tank in Okinawa, Japan.

Nice photo - lived in Okinawa for 4 years - stationed at Kadena. Lived in the city - best idea ever. Thanks for sharing.

 

[najer]

I have been keeping thoughts of one at the back of my mind for years, might need to re visit the idea.

 

[ThunderGoose]

These guys deserve a show off thread! Let's see photos of mantis shrimp you've got, have kept, or just taken pics of! Fill this thread up with great mantis shrimp pics!

Please credit artists. The image in the original post is from The Oatmeal by Mathew Inmann.

 

[doodledreads]

Please credit artists. The image in the original post is from The Oatmeal by Mathew Inmann.

I love that comic about mantis shrimp about Oatmeal! If you have not definitely read "Why the mantis shrimp is my new favorite animal"

 

[Billymack]

they are some freaky looking critters , lol

 

[srad750c]

I had one about 20 years ago, came in with my live rock. But there were no smartphones then to take pictures. Kept in 10 gal for almost 2 years. Was a fun pet.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

I had one from 1993-2008. I loved that little guy. I only got to watch him once per week, but I thoroughly enjoyed our time together. Here's the only picture I have:

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Please credit artists. The image in the original post is from The Oatmeal by Mathew Inmann.

Thanks for letting me know (I wasn't sure where it came from originally). Info added to OP.

 

[Scurvy]

@TheMantisman should have some great shots for the thread. His videos are super cool!

 

[MauiMarineAquarium (MMA)]

Question, are these shrimp anything like the pistol shrimp. And if so are you folks not worried about glass breaking or acrylic cracking. What type of measure for safety do you folks take to safeguard from a busted tank.?
Beautiful shrimp pictures by the way guys. keep them coming.