Peacock Mantis Nano-Reef Questions

[FreddytheFish]

I'm thinking about starting a 10 gallon nano-reef housng a Peacock Mantis Shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus ). But first, I have some questions that I'm hoping you can answer.

1. What is the average Peacock's lifespan?
2. Are there any fish or non-sessile inverts that are regulary compatible with Peacocks? I know that different peacocks let different things live for some odd reason or another, but are any regulary safe with them. (I'm guessing no, but...)
3. Would I be able to grow coral using 2 13-watt power compact fluerescents (Specifically softies, mushrooms, and zoanthids, and maybe some LPSs)? If not, how many watts of PC fluerescents would I need?

Thanks in advance,
Freddy :dive2:

[FreddytheFish]

Also, I have heard many stories of people keeping damsels with their mantis, but I also know that some people feed their mantis damsels. Maybe some mantises just decide to let the damsel live? (I guess this goes under question #2.)

Thanks again.

[FreddytheFish]

Anyone?

[FreddytheFish]

Anyone? Anyone at all?

[FreddytheFish]

:hang:

:help:

[FreddytheFish]

I guess I'm going to post this on aonther forum...

[itstheantitang]

For question number 3, I think you would just need to try it. If I were you, I'd buy some cheap, brown palythoa (big zooanthids) and place them high up, directly under the bulb.

If they die, you lost a small amount of money. If they live, you can start experimenting with prettier corals (inherently more expensive). I'd be hesitant about LPS.

The reason I say brown is that when an SPS browns out, it has an ugly burst of zooxanthellae grow in its tissues to adapt to lower light. This (correct me If I'm wrong) I believe applies to the paly's and other softies too.

[FreddytheFish]

Thanks.

I didn't think I'd get anyone to post in this thread!

[wwildcats04]

a 10g for a peacock is pretty small, they get quite large. I dont see why not but from what I've read its not good. Also, they are capable of cracking the glass. urchins and sea stars are usually able to be kept w/ mantis shrimp

[OrionGirl]

Peacocks can get up to 10 inches, but mostly they stay around 6-8. I'd probably do a bit larger tank, but that's just me--a 20 long would probably be good.

Mantis can live for several years. In captivity, they actually have shorter life spans, simply because they are prone to having molting problems that end up being fatal.

As for what can be kept with them--there are no certainties. A lot depends on the type of the mantis, and it's age when captured. But nothing is a certainty! Corals are safe from the mantis but can be damaged by the mantis' building it's home or hunting. Mushrooms and hardy polyps would be a good choice to try--as well as some of the more colorful sponges.

Sorry for not responding early--this was during my 'limbo' period.

You can also check the Stomatopod website--tons of great info: http://www.blueboard.com/mantis/

[FreddytheFish]

Thanks!

I was beginning to doubt whether you could keepa peacock in a ten, some people on nano-reef.com did it, but after my own research I wasn't sure. I posted this thread on GrimReefers.com, and they confirmed it.

I've decided on a G. smithii instead, but it really depends on what my LFS is willing to ship in.

Freddy :dive2:

Oh, and OG: Glad you're back! :)

[OrionGirl]

Another option for getting one would be to post a thread looking for one, and then watch the boards--odds on, someone will post about one they're trying to get rid of from their fresh shipment of live rock, and you can make arrangements for shipping. Might not be the specific species you're looking for, so you have to decide how important that is to you. All of them are pretty cool. There are several species that will be fine in a 10 initially, especially one that came in as a hitch hiker.

[itstheantitang]

In the mantis shrimp forum at RC, they have frequent trades of mantis, and they know the scientific names of their stomatopods.

[FreddytheFish]

Thanks everybody. :thm:

[Gealcath]

Also buying Live Rock collected in certain areas will have a high probability of having a Mantis Shrimp as a hitchhiker