Mantis Shrimp or Snowflake eel?

finkjor123 · 07/25/2011, 09:02 PM

I am planning on building either a 20 or 29 gallon tank, and I am debating whether I want a mantis shrimp with a damselfish, or a snowflake eel. I think the snowflake eel would make for a very interesting tank, as would the mantis, but I am concerned I would never see the mantis. So if anyone has any suggestions for me, let me know

89Foxbody · 07/25/2011, 09:03 PM

FYI, the SFE can reach over 30" in length. You'd need a bigger tank to house one in adulthood.

ashtree68 · 09/15/2011, 10:30 PM

Depending on the mantis they may be out all the time.

My peacock is usually out and a bout. SFE are nice but get aggressive as they get larger, I've nearly been bitten several times.

StephLionfish · 09/16/2011, 12:17 AM

I have a Pseudosquilla Ciliata Mantis shrimp and she's out all the time. She's a spearer, and would do perfectly in your tank ( mine's in a 20gHigh). Only problem is she moves sand A LOT. But, that just means she's out more

SFE's get way too big for your tank, and you don't buy a fish unless you have a tank set up for it long-term.

anbosu · 10/03/2011, 01:51 PM

Plus I would think eventually the eel would eat the shrimp, mantis or not.

yman32 · 10/03/2011, 02:00 PM

you will def. hear the mantis shrimp

make sure you have an acrylic tank or it could break thin glass

cheers,

~Y

peasofme · 10/03/2011, 06:05 PM

most mantis hide all the time. unless its a peacock. the bicolor blenny is a peacock in fish form imo. lots more options with a fish.

StephLionfish · 10/03/2011, 06:12 PM

It's pretty uncommon that mantis shrimp break glass. Don't even worry about it. Only the huge ( 6"+) smasher can break thin glass.... but it's not common. Plus, a 6+ mantis should not be in a 30g anyways. If you're really that concerned about it, then put plexi glass on the bottom of the aquarium so the mantis can't accidentally pop the bottom when digging around...

peasofme, My mantis, like I said, is out all the time... There's plenty of mantis shrimp that stay small and are active.

peasofme · 10/03/2011, 06:14 PM

dr roy has stated that a 5 inch mantis can break glass.

asid61 · 10/03/2011, 06:20 PM

Roy Caldwell says that a peacock mantis would only need a 26 gallon tank, and they are very active for mantids.

00Warpig00 · 10/03/2011, 10:05 PM

Didn't I read that mantis shrimp will kill and eat fish that they can catch. I don't have experience with mantis shrimp, so maybe I'm off base here but I think I would be worried the mantis shrimp when he gets a decent size would ambush the damsel and have a snack.

Nick

StephLionfish · 10/04/2011, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peasofme

dr roy has stated that a 5 inch mantis can break glass.

But, the chances of it actually happening aren't as common as people think.

Quote:

Originally Posted by asid61

Roy Caldwell says that a peacock mantis would only need a 26 gallon tank, and they are very active for mantids.

It's a big Stomatopod that as you state, are quite active... Survive and thrive are two very different things.

00Warpig00, Yes, even smashers can kill fish. It's a chance you take... I wouldn't keep valuable fish in with a Mantis.

pentrix2 · 10/04/2011, 05:12 AM

i say look at other fishmates. mantis shrimp and SFE are too much to worry about IMO.

Pen

demonnite57 · 10/04/2011, 09:38 AM

With either of those options you are taking the chance of losing any fish with them. I do recommend a bigger tank for a SFE and the one I owned pretty much hid (you either only saw his face or tail) until he was hungry they went on the prowl for the food...He ate a couple of the fish we had in there (both times being a Diamond Goby) before we got rid of him. My fiance couldn't stand losing anymroe fish.

I've personally never had a Mantis Shrimp. I want one, but Fiance has told me no on setting up another tank =(

07/25/2011, 09:02 PM	#1
finkjor123 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 42	Mantis Shrimp or Snowflake eel? I am planning on building either a 20 or 29 gallon tank, and I am debating whether I want a mantis shrimp with a damselfish, or a snowflake eel. I think the snowflake eel would make for a very interesting tank, as would the mantis, but I am concerned I would never see the mantis. So if anyone has any suggestions for me, let me know

07/25/2011, 09:03 PM	#2
89Foxbody Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Norwich, CT Posts: 1,532	FYI, the SFE can reach over 30" in length. You'd need a bigger tank to house one in adulthood. __________________ Red Sea Max 130D Mixed Reef: ReefKeeper2, Rapid-LED retrofit, MiniMaxx Reactor, Tunze 9001 Skimmer, 2x Jebao RW-4, 2x Maxi-Jet 600 returns, 2x Koralia Nano 425

09/15/2011, 10:30 PM	#3
ashtree68 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lincoln Park-Chicago Posts: 1,922	Depending on the mantis they may be out all the time. My peacock is usually out and a bout. SFE are nice but get aggressive as they get larger, I've nearly been bitten several times. __________________ -Ashton

09/16/2011, 12:17 AM	#4
StephLionfish Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,836	I have a Pseudosquilla Ciliata Mantis shrimp and she's out all the time. She's a spearer, and would do perfectly in your tank ( mine's in a 20gHigh). Only problem is she moves sand A LOT. But, that just means she's out more SFE's get way too big for your tank, and you don't buy a fish unless you have a tank set up for it long-term. __________________ The most intelligent people ask the most questions.

10/03/2011, 06:12 PM	#8
StephLionfish Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,836	It's pretty uncommon that mantis shrimp break glass. Don't even worry about it. Only the huge ( 6"+) smasher can break thin glass.... but it's not common. Plus, a 6+ mantis should not be in a 30g anyways. If you're really that concerned about it, then put plexi glass on the bottom of the aquarium so the mantis can't accidentally pop the bottom when digging around... peasofme, My mantis, like I said, is out all the time... There's plenty of mantis shrimp that stay small and are active. __________________ The most intelligent people ask the most questions.

10/03/2011, 01:51 PM	#5
anbosu Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mount Juliet, TN Posts: 4,528	Plus I would think eventually the eel would eat the shrimp, mantis or not.

10/03/2011, 02:00 PM	#6
yman32 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Miami Posts: 348	you will def. hear the mantis shrimp make sure you have an acrylic tank or it could break thin glass cheers, ~Y

10/03/2011, 06:05 PM	#7
peasofme Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: usa Posts: 1,405	most mantis hide all the time. unless its a peacock. the bicolor blenny is a peacock in fish form imo. lots more options with a fish.

10/03/2011, 06:14 PM	#9
peasofme Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: usa Posts: 1,405	dr roy has stated that a 5 inch mantis can break glass.

10/03/2011, 06:20 PM	#10
asid61 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cupertino, CA Posts: 1,111	Roy Caldwell says that a peacock mantis would only need a 26 gallon tank, and they are very active for mantids.

10/03/2011, 10:05 PM	#11
00Warpig00 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Schaumburg, IL. Posts: 621	Didn't I read that mantis shrimp will kill and eat fish that they can catch. I don't have experience with mantis shrimp, so maybe I'm off base here but I think I would be worried the mantis shrimp when he gets a decent size would ambush the damsel and have a snack. Nick __________________ 180G - 5 Yellow Tail Blue Damsels, Two Lined Sleeper Goby, Royal Gramma, Flame Angel pair, Yellow Stripe Maroon Clown, Pearlscale Butterfly, Australian Harlequin Tuskfish, Magnificent Foxface, Yellow Current Tank Info: 180G FOWLR Established 10/2010

10/04/2011, 05:12 AM	#13
pentrix2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Posts: 557	i say look at other fishmates. mantis shrimp and SFE are too much to worry about IMO. Pen

10/04/2011, 09:38 AM	#14
demonnite57 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Hampton, VA Posts: 253	With either of those options you are taking the chance of losing any fish with them. I do recommend a bigger tank for a SFE and the one I owned pretty much hid (you either only saw his face or tail) until he was hungry they went on the prowl for the food...He ate a couple of the fish we had in there (both times being a Diamond Goby) before we got rid of him. My fiance couldn't stand losing anymroe fish. I've personally never had a Mantis Shrimp. I want one, but Fiance has told me no on setting up another tank =( __________________ This hobby is NOT a hobby! Once you come to the realization it's an addiction all will be well! Current Tank Info: 75g Reef (drilled) w/ 30g Sump/Fuge (8x54W T5, AquaEuro 100 Skimmer, Koralia 750 x2, Koralia 1, RKL+ System); 44g Penta Corner Reef (6x18W T5, AquaEuro 100 Skimmer, Koralia 1 x4)

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