i dream of mantis shrimps

[SwiftysReef]

I was thinking of putting a mantis shrimp in my refugium is this a good idea or not

[Josh_Canada]

It depends on the conditions, I could see it happening but heavy chaeto will block out most light. If you just kept Live Rock and a Deep Sand Bed I would say go for it.

[Peter T]

Hi Swifty, I saw your other post about the pipefish in the fuge. You have a 11.5 gallon refugium, correct?

As long as your water parameters are stable, there should not be any problems. I would suggest getting one of the smaller, hardier smasher species of stomatopods. Here is a list that you can read up on some of the types kept in captivity:

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthropoda/crustacea/malacostraca/eumalacostraca/royslist/

[SwiftysReef]

I was thinking of taking my 29 gal tall tank and making a species tank for seahorses would it, I know this is probably a stupid question,be possible of putting a peacock mantis with them or is this way out of line. Be gentle on me

[Koshmar]

Seahorses make tasty and expensive snacks for mantis shrimp! :p

[Fartin'Gary]

I think it would be similar to putting a baby goat in a cage with a tiger.

[King Nikon]

Seahorse = Slow and stupid
Mantis = Fast and smart

Mantis wins.

[SwiftysReef]

Yeah that's what I figured, I knew the answer but I figured I would throw it out there anyway to see what u guys thought. Thanks for not making feel too stupid.
I have about 2.5 inches of sand in my fuge is that deep enough for a small mantis or no?

[Josh_Canada]

They dig a bit but I see that being deep enough

[DanInSD]

Typically small smashers make their home in rock cavities. Sand is not of much concern.

[SwiftysReef]

Thanks everyone for your input