More Mantis

[Synirr]

Handfeeding him again, only this time he was hungry
http/youtube.com/watch?v=8FZFTxn2jRA

Here's a short version without audio for dialup-ers
http/youtube.com/watch?v=vZw6nuimsng

Some of his most interesting behaviours can be seen here. I put rubble in his burrow so he would push it out, after which he cleaned his eyes
http/youtube.com/watch?v=TEsGwooxZiI

Updated pic of his home, it is becoming a reef. I keep picking up corals and frags... I have actually paid for three whole corals now, instead of just stealing all the frags from work! We don't sell our tiny frags anyway, so I don't feel bad about it. The rubble arrangement at the entrance to the cave is his doing.

Pulsing xenia I bought at work today

Actually paid for the colt, too

And my fave, the ricordea... this came from a different store

Green mussel and cloves

Big mussel (?) I found at work, with a cool yellow frag attached. ID on it, anyone?

Anemone. I love this thing

"Is it safe to come out?"

"Nobody looking?"

"Oh, hello!"

 

[DiscusAngel]

Great Pics, Nice tank.. Nice Mantis

 

[PRW1988]

wow! what an amazing looking mantis!

 

[pinkdolphin_113]

your tank is awsome!
how big is this?
how much did it cost?
where can i get one?
lol
do you have any fish in there?
how much did the mantis cost?

 

[Synirr]

your tank is awsome!
how big is this?
how much did it cost?
where can i get one?
lol
do you have any fish in there?
how much did the mantis cost?

It's only 20g, I am moving him to my 40g acrylic when I get another tank to put its current inhabitants in. The tank itself was only $20, but I probably have around $200-250 invested in the whole setup thus far, soon to be more once I buy real lights... it just has a hood I bought long ago for a 5g pico reef that never came into being on it right now. It's fine until I get the other light next week, since all the corals are directly under it anyway .
No fish in there, the mantis would kill and eat them. Not really interested in saltwater fish anyways.
The mantis was marked at $60 at work, but I get 35% discounts on saltwater livestock. Also on dry goods, which will help with the lights.

Update: He's a he! I checked under the hood. Turns out they are very easy to sex... the male has TWO peens that are highly visible even when they are in a normal standing position. No need to flip them over or anything... crazy.
Mantis Vs. Emerald crab:
http/youtube.com/watch?v=mbv6kSLz_0c

 

[paul_219]

Very nice tank... Nice videos also. They look gr8.

 

[pinkdolphin_113]

20 gallon?? thats great! now i know i may be able to, after a few months, have a great looking marine tank that i can fit in my flat = ]
thanks! i always thought marine tanks would have to be huge for some reason.

what kind of filtration do you have for this tank?

 

[severum boy]

Cricky, thats one hell of a shrimp, still reckon my Cameroon armoured shrimp could take him on.


For a second or two whilst it got its face smashed in.

Anyway, that is an incredible mantis, any idea what sp. it is, ive heared they are notoriously difficult to identify.

 

[Synirr]

what kind of filtration do you have for this tank?

Just an Aquaclear made for a 70g for now, plus the live rock and sand. Once he moves to the 40 I'll rethink it some.

Anyway, that is an incredible mantis, any idea what sp. it is, ive heared they are notoriously difficult to identify.

He's Odontodactylus scyllarus... they're the only ones with leopard spots
This is a great site for identifying common species:
http/www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthropoda/cr...traca/royslist/

 

[Synirr]

Sorry to double-post, but here's him eating a feeder
http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtqUHWirs9M