Which Mantis Should I Get?

teddscau · 10/20/2011, 05:51 PM

Okay, after HOURS of research and elimination, I've narrowed down my list to four: Gonodactylaceus glabrous, Odontodactylus havanensis, Gonodactylus platysoma, and Gonodactylus smithii. They're all beautiful, interactive (to varying degrees), and play nice with others. The only one that isn't very hardy is O. havanensis. I'm going to keep one in my 29g. It's not set up yet, so I can aquascape to meet the chosen species' needs. Thanks.

mndfreeze · 10/20/2011, 07:59 PM

After many hours of research and elimination, you will find that your choice will be based on what is available for purchase.

littlefish09 · 10/20/2011, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mndfreeze

After many hours of research and elimination, you will find that your choice will be based on what is available for purchase.

you will also find out that most do not play well with others

Kharn · 10/21/2011, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mndfreeze

After many hours of research and elimination, you will find that your choice will be based on what is available for purchase.

+1 =D

You can have your heart set on one thing and not do proper research to only find out later that it isn't even available locally...

mndfreeze · 10/21/2011, 01:10 AM

Yup. I originally was going to get a smithii before I built my new tank set up and spent months just trying to figure out where to even get one. Ended up getting a Ternatensis so I can still keep my mixed reef.

teddscau · 10/21/2011, 01:35 PM

Okay, the ones I can buy are:

G. glabrous
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/255305/product.web

O. havenensis
http://sealifeinc.net/catalog/produc...roducts_id=216

mndfreeze · 10/22/2011, 12:08 AM

is that first link reliable place to get mantis? I always run into sites that have them listed, but don't REALLY have them in stock, nor can get them within a month it seems. I paid a lot of cash for my GT to get it from bluezoo, after being on a waiting list fo 2 months. :/ But they are awesome at packing, shipping, and care.

teddscau · 10/22/2011, 08:21 AM

Not sure if they're reliable, but as long as I eventually get my mantis I'll be happy. Sure hope they actually sell G. glabrous. I've decided to go with the G. glabrous if they sell them. If they do sell 'em, I'll ask if they could send a female. The females are so pretty. Definitely getting some sexy shrimp for the tank

I heard mantis don't tend to bother them because they provide a cleaning service for them.
I've never had a a saltwater, so this'll be a first for me. I do have a 90g FW, but I finally got results back from the lab (little guys been sick for over a year). Turns out they all have TB. Trust me when I say I've always provided them with the best care. I quarantine and everything. Nothing could have prevented the TB... Guess I'll try getting them to eat garlic soaked food. Read it could potentially help. Maybe I should order Bdellovibrio bacteria and add it to my 90g. Could help, definitely wouldn't hurt. Maybe it could outcompete the acid fast bacteria. Maybe if I make sure they're in top shape they could beat off the infection. Probably not. Yeah, just venting my frustration.

mndfreeze · 10/22/2011, 07:43 PM

Hrm. I would be real wary on the sexy shrimp thing. I have never heard of them cleaning any other animal that was alive nor have I heard of a Mantis specifically leaving any other tasty invert, like shrimp, alone.

Then again mine gobbles krill down like it's going out of style, and they are about the size of sexies also!

StephLionfish · 10/23/2011, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mndfreeze

Then again mine gobbles krill down like it's going out of style,

There's a part of me that wants to laugh pretty hard at this...but the other part is just tired.

I've read that Sexies will coexist with the mantis-Lysiosquillina lisa. That they will act as a cleaning service for that particular kind of mantis, but I wouldn't try it with any other mantis will you find info on them for sure coexisting.
Don't go out and get a bunch of Sexies until you know for sure... They are pretty pricey to end up as a snack.

teddscau · 10/24/2011, 01:00 PM

Don't worry, I'd make sure the little mantis would get along with others before adding them. I could probably teach it to behave if needed. I don't know, we'll see. The whole ordering of a female G. glabrous is looking promising. Glad I'm getting a smasher and not a spearer. I'd prefer a bruised thumb over stitches

So, G. glabrous should be good with starfish, right? Could I somehow train it not to kill things? They're smart enough, but they're too smart.

MantisO_o · 10/24/2011, 02:45 PM

Training a Stomatopod to not do what nature made it to do...basically if your Mantis wants to eat something you can't really stop him or her. Its trial and error on your part of which item(s) it won't and would eat. I'd say try and see...other wise remove what you don't want to be eaten or killed.

Kharn · 10/24/2011, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teddscau

Don't worry, I'd make sure the little mantis would get along with others before adding them. I could probably teach it to behave if needed. I don't know, we'll see. The whole ordering of a female G. glabrous is looking promising. Glad I'm getting a smasher and not a spearer. I'd prefer a bruised thumb over stitches

So, G. glabrous should be good with starfish, right? Could I somehow train it not to kill things? They're smart enough, but they're too smart.

As far as the mantis getting along with others that is something totally out of your control and more about the mantis personality it has.Well smashers as far as I know are more interactive but at the same time more aggressive, there the ones that WILL go after things more then spearers. Odds of a smasher striking you would be higher then the shyer spearers. The only way to train it to not kill things (and again this is trial and error) is too FEED it stuff that it finds more tasty then the stuff its killing in the tank, in other words keep it fed well.

just my 2 cents

teddscau · 10/25/2011, 01:53 PM

I guess when I eventually get one I can give her things to play with. I don't know, maybe I could rig up some toy for her that will dispense food when she hits it. Yeah, I could probably make some sort of reef-safe feeder toy.

Okay, I have a question. What does it mean by "mantis shrimp interact with their owners"? Like, does the thing just sit there and look at you? My jumping spider can do that easily enough. I can't find anywhere on the net that tells me what said interaction is.

Kharn · 10/25/2011, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teddscau

Okay, I have a question. What does it mean by "mantis shrimp interact with their owners"? Like, does the thing just sit there and look at you? My jumping spider can do that easily enough. I can't find anywhere on the net that tells me what said interaction is.

When you look in your tank or move towards it most things dart off and hide, "mantis shrimp interact with their owners" means, it will get curious and come up to you at the glass instead of running off to hide.

teddscau · 10/25/2011, 04:26 PM

Oh, okay. I only have experience with FW (bad experience, despite proper care), and as most know, freshwater critters tend to be pretty easy going.

TundraGuy · 10/28/2011, 07:21 AM

My mantis dose my taxes for me. Now that’s interactive!

teddscau · 10/30/2011, 03:52 PM

Should be fun learning about saltwater tanks

It's a whole different playing field than FW.

mndfreeze · 11/03/2011, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TundraGuy

My mantis dose my taxes for me. Now that’s interactive!

Be warned, you will get audited. It has been messin up your numbers for years in hopes of getting you put in a small cage.

10/20/2011, 05:51 PM	#1
teddscau Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 214	Which Mantis Should I Get? Okay, after HOURS of research and elimination, I've narrowed down my list to four: Gonodactylaceus glabrous, Odontodactylus havanensis, Gonodactylus platysoma, and Gonodactylus smithii. They're all beautiful, interactive (to varying degrees), and play nice with others. The only one that isn't very hardy is O. havanensis. I'm going to keep one in my 29g. It's not set up yet, so I can aquascape to meet the chosen species' needs. Thanks.

10/24/2011, 02:45 PM	#12
MantisO_o Mantis Shrimp Addict Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Southern California, formally Virginia Posts: 809	Training a Stomatopod to not do what nature made it to do...basically if your Mantis wants to eat something you can't really stop him or her. Its trial and error on your part of which item(s) it won't and would eat. I'd say try and see...other wise remove what you don't want to be eaten or killed. __________________ ExtraordinaryMantisShrimp.BlogSpot.com 2014 Honda CrZ CEX Current Tank Info: Total System 255.64 gallons \| Odontodactylus japonicus: 'Alice' - female, 6" from Sri Lanka (Deceased 2009-10.26.2010/9:24:29am) \| Best things ever! Macintosh, Hybrids, Cephalopods & Stomatopods!

10/25/2011, 01:53 PM	#14
teddscau Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 214	I guess when I eventually get one I can give her things to play with. I don't know, maybe I could rig up some toy for her that will dispense food when she hits it. Yeah, I could probably make some sort of reef-safe feeder toy. Okay, I have a question. What does it mean by "mantis shrimp interact with their owners"? Like, does the thing just sit there and look at you? My jumping spider can do that easily enough. I can't find anywhere on the net that tells me what said interaction is. Last edited by teddscau; 10/25/2011 at 02:19 PM.

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10/20/2011, 07:59 PM	#2
mndfreeze Invert Sexy Time! Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 2,255	After many hours of research and elimination, you will find that your choice will be based on what is available for purchase.

10/21/2011, 01:10 AM	#5
mndfreeze Invert Sexy Time! Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 2,255	Yup. I originally was going to get a smithii before I built my new tank set up and spent months just trying to figure out where to even get one. Ended up getting a Ternatensis so I can still keep my mixed reef.

10/21/2011, 01:35 PM	#6
teddscau Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 214	Okay, the ones I can buy are: G. glabrous http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/255305/product.web O. havenensis http://sealifeinc.net/catalog/produc...roducts_id=216

10/22/2011, 12:08 AM	#7
mndfreeze Invert Sexy Time! Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 2,255	is that first link reliable place to get mantis? I always run into sites that have them listed, but don't REALLY have them in stock, nor can get them within a month it seems. I paid a lot of cash for my GT to get it from bluezoo, after being on a waiting list fo 2 months. :/ But they are awesome at packing, shipping, and care.

10/22/2011, 08:21 AM	#8
teddscau Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 214	Not sure if they're reliable, but as long as I eventually get my mantis I'll be happy. Sure hope they actually sell G. glabrous. I've decided to go with the G. glabrous if they sell them. If they do sell 'em, I'll ask if they could send a female. The females are so pretty. Definitely getting some sexy shrimp for the tank I heard mantis don't tend to bother them because they provide a cleaning service for them. I've never had a a saltwater, so this'll be a first for me. I do have a 90g FW, but I finally got results back from the lab (little guys been sick for over a year). Turns out they all have TB. Trust me when I say I've always provided them with the best care. I quarantine and everything. Nothing could have prevented the TB... Guess I'll try getting them to eat garlic soaked food. Read it could potentially help. Maybe I should order Bdellovibrio bacteria and add it to my 90g. Could help, definitely wouldn't hurt. Maybe it could outcompete the acid fast bacteria. Maybe if I make sure they're in top shape they could beat off the infection. Probably not. Yeah, just venting my frustration.

10/22/2011, 07:43 PM	#9
mndfreeze Invert Sexy Time! Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tempe, AZ Posts: 2,255	Hrm. I would be real wary on the sexy shrimp thing. I have never heard of them cleaning any other animal that was alive nor have I heard of a Mantis specifically leaving any other tasty invert, like shrimp, alone. Then again mine gobbles krill down like it's going out of style, and they are about the size of sexies also!

10/24/2011, 01:00 PM	#11
teddscau Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 214	Don't worry, I'd make sure the little mantis would get along with others before adding them. I could probably teach it to behave if needed. I don't know, we'll see. The whole ordering of a female G. glabrous is looking promising. Glad I'm getting a smasher and not a spearer. I'd prefer a bruised thumb over stitches So, G. glabrous should be good with starfish, right? Could I somehow train it not to kill things? They're smart enough, but they're too smart.

10/25/2011, 04:26 PM	#16
teddscau Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 214	Oh, okay. I only have experience with FW (bad experience, despite proper care), and as most know, freshwater critters tend to be pretty easy going.

10/28/2011, 07:21 AM	#17
TundraGuy MantisOholic Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Washington DC Posts: 1,946	My mantis dose my taxes for me. Now that’s interactive!

10/30/2011, 03:52 PM	#18
teddscau Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 214	Should be fun learning about saltwater tanks It's a whole different playing field than FW.