Lysiosquillina maculata, a.k.a. Zebra Mantis

sidestrike · 03/08/2010, 09:21 PM

Hi! I've been forum lurking (w/out an account) for a few weeks now, and I've finally decided to set up a 29G tank for one of these cute critters! However, I've got a few questions before I would want to buy the things I need.

Now, I've read Dr. Roy's stomatopod list and noticed that Zebra Mantis Shrimp need a sandbed that is as deep as 1.5x the length of the mantis. Does the sandbed have to be vertically this tall? I've noticed that some people have kept their mantis in a diagonal PVC burrow through the sandbed.
Unfortunately, the only example I have for this "diagonal burrow" that I'm thinking of is this youtube video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyWTk_cbaOc

Is this OK / Healthy for a zebra?

Another question I have is will a zebra mantis try to burrow through the aquarium bottom if the sandbed is too shallow, or will it just burrow out laterally when it reaches it? I know it's a spearer so it probably can't break it, but I might as well ask just incase someone has had an experience that says otherwise.

Last question for the night;
What signs should I look for to make sure the mantis is healthy?
The one at my LFS is about 4 inches and pure black at the moment.

gozermantis · 03/08/2010, 09:30 PM

if it's pure black i dont think it's a maculata.

sidestrike · 03/08/2010, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gozermantis

if it's pure black i dont think it's a maculata.

Aww, well that changed my plans really quick x.x
I'll try to take a picture of it if they will let me.

All I can say for sure right now is that one of the staff members of the LFS told me that it changed its color to pure black after its recent molt. The only other thing I can add in is that it's definitely a spearer type.

gozermantis · 03/08/2010, 10:36 PM

hmmm try to get a pic.

03/08/2010, 09:21 PM	#1
sidestrike Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 6	Lysiosquillina maculata, a.k.a. Zebra Mantis Hi! I've been forum lurking (w/out an account) for a few weeks now, and I've finally decided to set up a 29G tank for one of these cute critters! However, I've got a few questions before I would want to buy the things I need. Now, I've read *Dr. Roy's stomatopod list* and noticed that Zebra Mantis Shrimp need a sandbed that is as deep as 1.5x the length of the mantis. Does the sandbed have to be vertically this tall? I've noticed that some people have kept their mantis in a diagonal PVC burrow through the sandbed. Unfortunately, the only example I have for this "diagonal burrow" that I'm thinking of is this youtube video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyWTk_cbaOc Is this OK / Healthy for a zebra? Another question I have is will a zebra mantis try to burrow through the aquarium bottom if the sandbed is too shallow, or will it just burrow out laterally when it reaches it? I know it's a spearer so it probably can't break it, but I might as well ask just incase someone has had an experience that says otherwise. Last question for the night; What signs should I look for to make sure the mantis is healthy? The one at my LFS is about 4 inches and pure black at the moment.

03/08/2010, 09:30 PM	#2
gozermantis Stomatoholic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Fort Myers, Florida Posts: 1,101	if it's pure black i dont think it's a maculata. __________________ Stomatopod's are my weakness. i want to own them all like a little kid wants to own all the damn pokemon Current Tank Info: 29g FOWLR, 40b peacock tank (Khaleesi, female), 10g Male G. Graphurus (Boh, male) tank.

03/08/2010, 10:36 PM	#4
gozermantis Stomatoholic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Fort Myers, Florida Posts: 1,101	hmmm try to get a pic. __________________ Stomatopod's are my weakness. i want to own them all like a little kid wants to own all the damn pokemon Current Tank Info: 29g FOWLR, 40b peacock tank (Khaleesi, female), 10g Male G. Graphurus (Boh, male) tank.