Mantis Shrimp Tank Set-Up

Stripbass2 · 03/24/2017, 04:41 PM

Ok, So I found a 10g tank on eBay for $14. I would have this tank designed specifically for a mantis shrimp, more specifically an O.Havanensis, And maybe a few snails he could make a snack out of. I would be getting this tank sometime in fall. And can they break glass? Do I need a special tank to house him in? And what type of filtration will I need to run (I would like to keep it all on the cheaper end)

I forgot to add I would like to breed some copepods in their if possible.

ZachsZoo · 03/24/2017, 05:21 PM

You can get a brand new 10g tank at Petco's dollar per gallon sale or 10$ or a new 10g from walmart for 15$. There is a small possibility he could crack the glass if he sees himself as a reflection and tries to "defend" his territory, but not very likely. For a filter a 20$ HOB filter should be fine or maybe a small HOB skimmer for 40$ or so.

MMacro · 03/24/2017, 09:24 PM

O. havanensis needs a larger tank. Somewhere in the 20-30 gallon range. I would do a N. wennerae or something similar. A HOB skimmer would be a good choice for filtration. Something rated 2-3x your tank size should be good since they create a lot of waste.

lanchi1661 · 03/27/2017, 03:42 AM

Do I need a special tank to house him in?

nmotz · 03/27/2017, 09:33 AM

Not sure what you mean by special tank, but generally mantis shrimp have tank specification needs based on size and species. Small smashers will do fine in smaller tanks. There's no risk of glass breakage with them.

With a large species like a Peacock, there is at least some risk of glass breakage but only if the animal repeatedly strikes the glass and this doesn't usually happen. Some people feel more comfortable with an acrylic tank or sometimes will put acrylic panels on the sides or bottom of a glass tank. The only other species that might cause damage to a glass aquarium is a large G. Chiragra and this species is really easy to find.

In general, long shallow tanks are better than tall skinny tanks because they provide more of a footprint for the mantis to roam around. This is especially important with Peacocks. With that species, the bigger the tank the better IMO. I have a 40B and wish I had double that size because she's always running around all over the place.

03/24/2017, 04:41 PM	#1
Stripbass2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 3	Mantis Shrimp Tank Set-Up Ok, So I found a 10g tank on eBay for $14. I would have this tank designed specifically for a mantis shrimp, more specifically an O.Havanensis, And maybe a few snails he could make a snack out of. I would be getting this tank sometime in fall. And can they break glass? Do I need a special tank to house him in? And what type of filtration will I need to run (I would like to keep it all on the cheaper end) I forgot to add I would like to breed some copepods in their if possible.

03/24/2017, 09:24 PM	#3
MMacro Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,442	O. havanensis needs a larger tank. Somewhere in the 20-30 gallon range. I would do a N. wennerae or something similar. A HOB skimmer would be a good choice for filtration. Something rated 2-3x your tank size should be good since they create a lot of waste. __________________ 155 Mixed Reef (48x31x24)

03/27/2017, 09:33 AM	#5
nmotz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: FL, USA Posts: 1,433	Not sure what you mean by special tank, but generally mantis shrimp have tank specification needs based on size and species. Small smashers will do fine in smaller tanks. There's no risk of glass breakage with them. With a large species like a Peacock, there is at least some risk of glass breakage but only if the animal repeatedly strikes the glass and this doesn't usually happen. Some people feel more comfortable with an acrylic tank or sometimes will put acrylic panels on the sides or bottom of a glass tank. The only other species that might cause damage to a glass aquarium is a large G. Chiragra and this species is really easy to find. In general, long shallow tanks are better than tall skinny tanks because they provide more of a footprint for the mantis to roam around. This is especially important with Peacocks. With that species, the bigger the tank the better IMO. I have a 40B and wish I had double that size because she's always running around all over the place. __________________ Mantis shrimp are the best! Current Tank Info: 20L Peacock mantis shrimp tank

03/24/2017, 05:21 PM	#2
ZachsZoo Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 85	You can get a brand new 10g tank at Petco's dollar per gallon sale or 10$ or a new 10g from walmart for 15$. There is a small possibility he could crack the glass if he sees himself as a reflection and tries to "defend" his territory, but not very likely. For a filter a 20$ HOB filter should be fine or maybe a small HOB skimmer for 40$ or so.

03/27/2017, 03:42 AM	#4
lanchi1661 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 2	Do I need a special tank to house him in?