Minimum Tank Size For Mantis Shrimp

InvertCrazy · 07/19/2013, 02:36 PM

When i say minimum I mean the absolute minimum that it would be okay in Thanks

Islandoftiki · 07/19/2013, 03:21 PM

I got away with a two gallon tank for a very small G. Viridis. Keep in mind, this was a pretty advanced level tank and ended up being a contest winner. I don't know that I'd recommend anything but the smallest mantis for a tank this small. Honestly, it would have been a lot less expensive to build a larger tank...

Anyhow, take a look at the tank build and you'll see the amount of expense it takes to make a tank this small really work. http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/29713...ontest-winner/

For what it's worth, if I just wanted to keep a small mantis and keep things simple and uncomplicated, I'd do a Petco dollar-per-gallon sale 10 gallon tank, and AC70 modified into a filter/fuge and a low budget lighting setup and go with mushrooms and other low light corals. You could do most of the smaller mantis in a 10 gallon. It can be hard to find the really tiny ones for sale regularly.

There's my 2 cents.

Kharn · 07/19/2013, 04:58 PM

There are so many minimal tank sizes that can be used for these creatures due to their vast size differences...

Small G.Viridis of only 55mm can live in tiny little nano cubes...larger 150mm+ smashers like O.scyllarus etc. are going to need at least 100L.

I based my tank volume off Dr.Caldwells recommendations on this invaluable site...http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthrop...raca/royslist/

hossa81 · 07/19/2013, 08:00 PM

All depends on species, I have an N. Wennera in a three gallon tank.

unreal45 · 08/04/2013, 08:20 PM

I have a six gallon jbj nano, which mantis species would be best?

KusabiKuri · 08/06/2013, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unreal45

I have a six gallon jbj nano, which mantis species would be best?

You can choose from a lot of good species. The bigger question is which are available to you and what your budget is. Just look through Dr. Roy's list and anything recommended for 20 liters or less would be fine for your nanocube.

unreal45 · 08/07/2013, 10:23 PM

I will take a look at that list, thanks.

peasofme · 08/26/2013, 01:21 PM

any tank smaller than 10g is hard to keep stable. and even then. i would replace water daily and use a drip. a 10g loses about half a cup of water a day. i had a tiny mantis in a 2.5g for several months till one day the parameters fluctuated and killed him. he was the most active mantis i've ever had.

Calappidae · 08/31/2013, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kharn

There are so many minimal tank sizes that can be used for these creatures due to their vast size differences...

Small G.Viridis of only 55mm can live in tiny little nano cubes...larger 150mm+ smashers like O.scyllarus etc. are going to need at least 100L.

I based my tank volume off Dr.Caldwells recommendations on this invaluable site...http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthrop...raca/royslist/

Agreed, just divde the litres by 4 to find out the gallons of the tank. Do note that the shape of the tank play an important rule in tank size. I've kept a peacock in a 6 gallon... because the 6 gallon was as long as a 30!.. I still upgraded him to a 30 for the extra swimming space.

EDIT: OH YEAH and if you go with any type of smasher make sure its a plastic, or acrylic aquarium. The thickness of glass and size of mantis just tells you how many hits it needs, if they can break clams and rocks which are more sturdy than glass... then I wouldn't trust it.

Kharn · 08/31/2013, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calappidae

Agreed, just divde the litres by 4 to find out the gallons of the tank. Do note that the shape of the tank play an important rule in tank size. I've kept a peacock in a 6 gallon... because the 6 gallon was as long as a 30!.. I still upgraded him to a 30 for the extra swimming space.

EDIT: OH YEAH and if you go with any type of smasher make sure its a plastic, or acrylic aquarium. The thickness of glass and size of mantis just tells you how many hits it needs, if they can break clams and rocks which are more sturdy than glass... then I wouldn't trust it.

I wouldn't be to concerned on the glass end of things, all my tanks are glass and my only concern lay with my largest smasher who has struck the glass making a very loud noise.

Calappidae · 08/31/2013, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kharn

I wouldn't be to concerned on the glass end of things, all my tanks are glass and my only concern lay with my largest smasher who has struck the glass making a very loud noise.

I know its a rare occurence of glass breaking but hey, who wants to risk cleaning up after a leaking tank? Its worth the precaution in the long run better safe than sorry. My peacock did put a few small scratches in his acrylic but they are hardly noticeable.

Sarah_Katherine · 05/09/2017, 08:26 AM

I'm with you there.. I'm considering getting a Peacock sometime in the next year so I may need help from everyone.

07/19/2013, 02:36 PM	#1
InvertCrazy Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: United States Posts: 25	Minimum Tank Size For Mantis Shrimp When i say minimum I mean the absolute minimum that it would be okay in Thanks

07/19/2013, 04:58 PM	#3
Kharn MANTISMAN Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Gonodak Posts: 4,003	There are so many minimal tank sizes that can be used for these creatures due to their vast size differences... Small G.Viridis of only 55mm can live in tiny little nano cubes...larger 150mm+ smashers like O.scyllarus etc. are going to need at least 100L. I based my tank volume off Dr.Caldwells recommendations on this invaluable site...http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthrop...raca/royslist/ __________________ The arrogance of man is thinking nature is in their control and not the other way around, nature has an order, a power to restore balance...I believe he is that power.

07/19/2013, 08:00 PM	#4
hossa81 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Geneva,IL Posts: 900	All depends on species, I have an N. Wennera in a three gallon tank. __________________ Enjoy life, there's plenty of time to be dead. Current Tank Info: 180 FOWLR, 29 BioCube

07/19/2013, 03:21 PM	#2
Islandoftiki Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 1,037	I got away with a two gallon tank for a very small G. Viridis. Keep in mind, this was a pretty advanced level tank and ended up being a contest winner. I don't know that I'd recommend anything but the smallest mantis for a tank this small. Honestly, it would have been a lot less expensive to build a larger tank... Anyhow, take a look at the tank build and you'll see the amount of expense it takes to make a tank this small really work. http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/29713...ontest-winner/ For what it's worth, if I just wanted to keep a small mantis and keep things simple and uncomplicated, I'd do a Petco dollar-per-gallon sale 10 gallon tank, and AC70 modified into a filter/fuge and a low budget lighting setup and go with mushrooms and other low light corals. You could do most of the smaller mantis in a 10 gallon. It can be hard to find the really tiny ones for sale regularly. There's my 2 cents.

08/04/2013, 08:20 PM	#5
unreal45 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 44	I have a six gallon jbj nano, which mantis species would be best?

08/07/2013, 10:23 PM	#7
unreal45 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 44	I will take a look at that list, thanks.

08/26/2013, 01:21 PM	#8
peasofme Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: usa Posts: 1,405	any tank smaller than 10g is hard to keep stable. and even then. i would replace water daily and use a drip. a 10g loses about half a cup of water a day. i had a tiny mantis in a 2.5g for several months till one day the parameters fluctuated and killed him. he was the most active mantis i've ever had.

05/09/2017, 08:26 AM	#12
Sarah_Katherine Registered Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 3	I'm with you there.. I'm considering getting a Peacock sometime in the next year so I may need help from everyone.