My mantis tank.

[Dana42078]

Thought i started a thread on this but apparently i didnt. Its been up and running since Jan of 2011. This is the most recent picture.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/mantistank.jpg

[Dana42078]

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/e5b05fd6.jpg



http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/b50d2438.jpg

[twiggyb]

What size tank is this?

[Koshmar]

Nice!

[Mentat]

Your Mantis is lucky; that is a beautiful home!

[hikarishadow]

That is a gorgeous home for a gorgeous little boy!

[Hagisan]

Very nice Dana. What are you using to take the pics?

[DoubleM 10]

ur mantis has some wicked blue color! NIce job on the tank

[Dana42078]

What size tank is this?

20g tall. T5 HO nova extreme fixture....i need new bulbs as im still using the ones the fixture came with.

Your Mantis is lucky; that is a beautiful home!

Thank you!

Very nice Dana. What are you using to take the pics?

Nikon D5000 for the first pic....the others were from my iphone. I usually only bust out the D5000 for pix of my reef tank.





Thanks everyone for the compliments. =)

[Dana42078]

http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m630/danaha42078/DSC_0065-1.jpg



http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m630/danaha42078/DSC_0070-1.jpg

[Dana42078]

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/b01477cc.jpg

[Dana42078]

So my latest lil creation ive started is this.....still working on it but need him to kill more hermits lol

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/ba1c47bf.jpg



http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/c77cebce.jpg

[fish stalker]

The old menu right? Lol

[Dana42078]

The old menu right? Lol

lol yea....the "grave yard"look got old quick. Figured id try to find a way to recycle the shells....still dunno where ima go with it. Origianlly wanted to build a castle. Clearly forgot my mantis is like 5 and a half inches give or take. We'll see when i get more "supplies" to build the structure where i go with it.:frog:

[jcerdena]

Wow that is a really nice looking setup and mantis! Thanks for sharing

[mrk88]

Nice Mantis Terns. are one of my favorite.

[Dr. Fish]

Really nice mantis pics

[Dana42078]

Wow that is a really nice looking setup and mantis! Thanks for sharing

Thank you and your very welcome.

Nice Mantis Terns. are one of my favorite.

Also one of mine.

Really nice mantis pics

Thank you. i took a few more the other day. But this was the only one that turned out....which in turn made me clean my glass a lil =p

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/brutis1.jpg

[snorvich]

Wonderful tank. May inspire me to do one. I have always been fascinated with them, but only as a diver, never as an aquarist.

[Dana42078]

New bulbs......changed the scape a lil and his raptorial is damaged from hitting things, also has two spots on his shell. Hoping its not shell rot.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/mantis2-1.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/zoamantis2.jpg


http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/zoamantis.jpg


http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/brutis3.jpg

[StephLionfish]

That's a gorgeous mantis! What kind is he? Where do you get those beautiful zoanthids??
Is that hang on filter the only filtration? What's your waterchange schedule?

[Dana42078]

That's a gorgeous mantis! What kind is he? Where do you get those beautiful zoanthids??
Is that hang on filter the only filtration? What's your waterchange schedule?

Thank you. He is a gonodactylaceus ternatensis. I got the zoa's from various places. Most at a lfs in northern Illinois. Yes its a HOB filter:sad1: Does its job tho....all my zoas that have been in there a while have been multipling with crappy stock lighting. I do 4-5g watter changes every 3 weeks, give er take a day or two. :thumbsup:

[Dana42078]

Little update....for the first time since ive had this G.T. Hes dug a little burrow and seems as if hes going to go through his second molt for me. He's been secluded for 2 days now. As i type hes on his back, although he does like to hang upside down, he's really not moving all to much so i believe he is just getting ready for a molt. All params check out fine so i assume all is well. Lets hope this goes well.

Dana

[Dana42078]

Nice mantis !!! hope the molting goes well, btw does he ever try to harm you ?

Thanks! He has twice....while moving LR around. More of just defending his territory but usually when im in there he just goes to his chill spot and waits it out.

Another sign of him molting i just noticed is that he killed 4 hermits last night and just started banging on one of the last two turbo snails i have in there....its like he's on a killing spree.:bum:

Another side note.....the damsel i have in there is really aggressive and was wondering if hes going to mess with the mantis while hes going through the molt? The sixline i had in there during his first molt didnt but this damsel is WAY more aggressive. I dont think he would go against a 5-6inch mantis but u never know.:worried:

[ritter6788]

I dont think he would go against a 5-6inch mantis but u never know.:worried:


I had a Sgt. Major Damsel that was fearless of my big peacock. I wouldn't doubt the damsel at all. It never messed with it in the burrow but they would face off when the mantis came out. You have a very nice tank and a beautiful mantis. Best of luck.

[Reefer-Diver]

Ive never seen a mantis with that beautiful blue color!

[TundraGuy]

Zoas and Mantis what a pair. No shortage of color in that tank. I like it.

[StephLionfish]

I think it's funny what you're doing with the shells....I tried to do that, but my mantis feels the need to destroy the shells into tiny pieces.... :(
Is the damsel trying to mess with the mantis?

[Dana42078]

I had a Sgt. Major Damsel that was fearless of my big peacock. I wouldn't doubt the damsel at all. It never messed with it in the burrow but they would face off when the mantis came out. You have a very nice tank and a beautiful mantis. Best of luck.

TYVM. I was just kinda worried because my damsel like yours is FEARLESS..

Ive never seen a mantis with that beautiful blue color!

TY. He is very gorgeous when he comes out to show off.

Zoas and Mantis what a pair. No shortage of color in that tank. I like it.

=) Thats the only thing i wanted to achieve. Lots of color and a good lookin mantis.:beer:

I think it's funny what you're doing with the shells....I tried to do that, but my mantis feels the need to destroy the shells into tiny pieces.... :(
Is the damsel trying to mess with the mantis?

Im still making something just collecting shells ATM. It should be durable enuff when im done. SO far so good...i mean the damsel sleeps in the reef, just not on the dungon side. He's been secluded for 3-4 days now....doesnt come out his hole at all, spends alot of time on his back looking up. I know hes still good because when i move fast and wearing white he reacts and stands up like ima feed him. Def a molt in progress. Ive seen him do this before. Lets just hope he makes it as he is full grown.

[Dana42078]

Caught him eating his molt then placing it outside his burrow. So excited. THese last 8 days were hard to bare. I know he wont come out for a little while but its nice to know he pulled through.YAY

[TundraGuy]

I hate the molting process I lost my O. Scyllarus to a bad molt. He was in a 60 gallon I went out of town and the person taking care of my tanks did not top off my 60. So now when I see my mantis Squshi all locked up I get nervous.

I got a question for you with all that light your mantis does not have any problems? I remember one of the great Dr. Roy’s writings saying bright lighting seems to contribute to shell rot. Has this been in issue for you? It may have been only certain mantis have this sensitivity.

Love your tank just keep posting pix.

[Dana42078]

I hate the molting process I lost my O. Scyllarus to a bad molt. He was in a 60 gallon I went out of town and the person taking care of my tanks did not top off my 60. So now when I see my mantis Squshi all locked up I get nervous.

I got a question for you with all that light your mantis does not have any problems? I remember one of the great Dr. Roy’s writings saying bright lighting seems to contribute to shell rot. Has this been in issue for you? It may have been only certain mantis have this sensitivity.

Love your tank just keep posting pix.

Sorry to hear about your O.Scyllarus loss. Its goot a be tough losing one of these guys/gals to a molt, but like Dr Roy says its the most common death for them.:headwallblue:

As far as lighting is concerned. I only have a nova extreme 2 bulb fixture, and the LED moonlight bar. Id say a good portion of the light is kinda blocked on the one side as the water spashes up and collects on the sheild. I clean it every month or so. But IMO its not that much light considering G.T's are found in Acros's in the wild. Im sure they can handle more light than other stomatopods. He also has a very nice dark dungon to hang out in. I think theres got to be a way to tell what ones can handle more light. Species found in X amount of water can or cant take more light. I thought i saw some signs but ppl on here said it looked like abrassions....once he comes back out from his molt i'll be sure to get a nice look at those questionable spots.

Thanks for looking and your questions. Ill try and get some new pix up soon.:spin1:

[Dana42078]

Heres what he didnt eat......he really does not like his booty. I seen him today also and he looked fine. Just really "light" in color, im sure he'll darken up once his shell hardens up. The only reason i fished these out is because he was out n about, seemed fine and he clearly threw them out as if they were trash. One was in the front of the tank and one by his backdoor entrance to his burrow.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/2dc7776d.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/a87c5e70.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/a2c89f10.jpg

[StephLionfish]

Glad he's OK then....those smashers are pretty cool souvenirs. Too bad they start smelling...or do they? Hm..

[Dana42078]

Nope....they dont smell...i kept these this time and they are dry no smell to them at all. Not sure what i want to do but i might start collecting them and preserveing them. I still have my muskie head from when i was a kid (54inches was the fish) i was 10 so i was told what to do and did it....assume you can preserve these somehow...btw we ate him that night fed my whole family, nothing went to waste.

[Dana42078]

Finally its been like 3-4 weeks since he's taken food from me. Seems like the molt went good. He was really frisky today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7lYtZzvVvs

[StephLionfish]

Like I said, I would be terrified to stick my hand in that tank LOL. He's so pretty, how big is did you say he is?

[Dana42078]

I'd have to say he's at least the size of my hand. 6 or so inches.

[StephLionfish]

O.O
I'd say it's time for that bad boy to get a bigger home to stretch his legs! And...well, you know, if you need to get rid of any frags...during the switch over....you know how to pm me... :D haha jk, jk. Seriously though, that's pretty big...

[Dana42078]

Yea....I know...:( I feel bad...that's why I bought a 45g cube for him. I'm working on it....hopefully before his next molt.

[StephLionfish]

Any updates with the marbles?

[Dana42078]

I dropped one by his burrow. He smacked it twice and put it outside his burrow and hasn't touched it since. I'll try makin a vid ASAP

[Dana42078]

top down i took last night

http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m630/danaha42078/yesplease.jpg

[FLMantis]

Hey Dana, what color bulb combination are you using? Daylight, atinics?

[Dana42078]

Well it's jus a two bulb fixture so I don't have much of a choice...well I do and don't...I played with the ATI combos and I like this look the best for now. ATI purple and blue plus. It's really a pita to get good photos...

[Dana42078]

HE came out the other day and the shot kinda sucked so i played with it.....still sucks..

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/mantis.jpg

[Dana42078]

Thinking about my future reefing. Its so hard to keep my reef in check. Params wise. Yet really the only issue i deal with in the mantis tank is phos.....

Would like some input with everyone else. Whats your set back param wise?

I do 1/4 WC (5g) 3/4's (like every 3 weeks) to monthly ona 20g tall.

jus depends on how the tank looks really on the WC

[nirvanaandtool]

Do larger water changes. I do about 20-25% every week.

[Koshmar]

you can also offset phosphates by adding macroalgae. I used chaeto and C. prolifera in my tanks and my phosphates were always zero, though you know those testkits aren't all too accurate....

Love your pics and tank btw. Really cool to get those little stomato-gifts too, I built up quite a little collection of dactyl molts. Save em that way you can compare them over time to see the growth.

[TundraGuy]

Go out and get a two two little fishies phosban reactor. I find I don’t have to use much GFO to keep the levels out of the testable rang. But Macro dose help with it as well. I just find with a reactor you can play with your mix. Once you have used GFO in a reactor and see a decline in ugly algaes and in increase in coralline and other calcareous alages you’ll be hooked. Just make sure to rinse if first and use a maxi jet 900 or smaller don’t be a wise guy and use a 1200 (I see this common mistake all the time).

[nirvanaandtool]

you can also offset phosphates by adding macroalgae. I used chaeto and C. prolifera in my tanks and my phosphates were always zero, though you know those testkits aren't all too accurate....

Love your pics and tank btw. Really cool to get those little stomato-gifts too, I built up quite a little collection of dactyl molts. Save em that way you can compare them over time to see the growth.

Yep. Chaeto & Caulerpa in a mantis tank fuge are a good thing to have.

[TundraGuy]

I think macro adds a touch of ocean to any specimen tank

[Dana42078]

I have caulerpa, which kinda gets on my nerves, but i do prune it.....Ill look more into buying a few macro's and a few more plants.

[FLMantis]

http://reefcleaners.org/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=32&category_id=6&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=34

I think this is the macro I am gonna with to add color to the tank... And I think there are somemore red ones as well...

[FLMantis]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2034972&highlight=flame+algae
this guys picture looks a lot better

[Dana42078]

Now thats what im talking about. Thats a pretty plant.

[MagicReefer]

Beautiful tank!

[Dana42078]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2034972&highlight=flame+algae
this guys picture looks a lot better

Waiting on funds to be transfered from my bank to my paypal and ordering some off him. Thanks for the link.

Beautiful tank!

Thanks!:D


I added a lil more to the struture. Thinking of just soaking it in RO water and tossing it in....:p

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/a1207e81.jpg

[zarryah]

What a nice tank what do u feed your zoas

[Dana42078]

What a nice tank what do u feed your zoas

Thank you. I dont feed them. I do WC's every 2 weeks. :wildone:

[Dana42078]

Its in the tank so heres some pictures, sorry for the hazziness.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/cave.jpg

Side view from my cpu

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/DSC_0074-2.jpg

And the current FTS

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/fts-1.jpg

[FLMantis]

That's awesome man!!!

[StephLionfish]

lol, I like the shell thing...too bad I can't make one now. Is that the mean damsel, or a new one?

[Dana42078]

Ive had 3 fish for the tank. Yellow tail damsel, sixline wrass, and this all blue damsel idk the proper name. He is a hellion. But the mantis totally ignores him.

[Kilkenny]

Awesome tank, like the shell structure you made...and those zoas...wow

[mndfreeze]

That is a blue devil damsel. I have one in my mantis tank! :D

[Dana42078]

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

[Dana42078]

Lil update...the cave didnt last long. Either he broke it or it jus fell apart. He's still really active. And being extremly not friendly with the cam so i cant update him but heres some shots of the tank.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/ftsmantis.jpg


http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/sideshotmantis-1.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/zoas-1.jpg

[StephLionfish]

Your tank is soooo beautiful! I love that red Zoa colony. None of the LFS's around here can get zoas in... and when they do, they are crazy expensive.
Did he ever take liking to the marbles?

[Dana42078]

Your tank is soooo beautiful! I love that red Zoa colony. None of the LFS's around here can get zoas in... and when they do, they are crazy expensive.
Did he ever take liking to the marbles?

Thanks! That Zoa rock was in my reef and I figured it look better in the mantis tank.....well not so much. He's moved them around to his liking but he doesn't " play" with them. But I'd also imagine each mantis is different...I'd be interested in the guy who started that thread if is O.S took a liking to them.

On a diff note I'm trying to find a new place to live ATM. With the:bounce3: move means upgrade time ;)

[StephLionfish]

I wonder what mine would do with marbles... Bury them for sure-- she doesn't like rubble on the sand bed.
You should check out a 45g Cube. I saw one yesterday at the LFS for sale, and I wanted it so badly. Really neat dimensions, IMO

[Dana42078]

Already bought one ha! Been sitting in my living room on the floor in the box....slowly buying parts and still tring to decide what lighting I'm going to do...I wanna do LEDs but will prolly be doing t5's. I need to build the stand too. Grrrrr

[StephLionfish]

LEDs are nice, and produce a lovely shimmer... but I think I'm going to let the craze wear off a bit before I really get into them...if you know what I mean...$$$$$$
I'd like to see the AI Sol over my reef tank...

[Dana42078]

Yea I feel the same way. I figure if I can hold out another year or so the price will drop or better fixtures will surface. Here's the tank...http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/c5fe94a0.jpg

[StephLionfish]

O.O I'd already have that baby ripped open.

*snort* Are we using it as a table?

[Dana42078]

Lol. I would Unbox it but I don't have a stand and yea as u can see I have a fan on it blowing at my reef tank...it sucks looking at it the way it is but as it's in the box it's not screaming fill me. In the box it's kinda yelling blah....either way I need to start getting parts for it. I plan on this mantis tank being better than my reef until I can upgrade the reef tank. :)

[Dana42078]

Also can't put up till I move to a new apt on the first floor. But I might have food a place :)

[nirvanaandtool]

Nice 45!
My friend has one of them, they are really nice tanks.

As for LEDs, if cost is a concern, DIY it! Brings the price down quite a bit and it's pretty easy to do.

[Dana42078]

Still havent upgraded. =(

Heres a shot from yesterday

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/DSC_0172.jpg

[StephLionfish]

Your zoa growth is very impressive... Zoas don't like my tanks. I guess cause they are always being stolen, or knocked off the rock, or covered with sand... Until I get some good glue, I can't help that though. I have some green zoas that have stayed 4 polyps for several, several months.. Which I don't understand- they are full and open.

I love those red ones with the long skirts, and lol to the marble frags...

[Dana42078]

I go through zoa's fast. Ppl buy them off me that's y the tank looks diff. Pretty soon this tank will be torn down and rebuild into a 40g breeder I've decided to put my ATI light fixture from my reef on the new mantis setup and use the 45g cube for the new reef tank with LEDs.

[StephLionfish]

I hope you plan on sharing the progress! Is that a Blastomussa near the top? How fast is it growing for you? Mine hasn't grown at all...

[Dana42078]

When I'm ready I'll start another thread for the new build. No blastos in the mantis tank. Only Z's n P's, mushrooms and a war coral that was dieing in my reef so I moved it. I have blastos in my reef. Mine like low flow, about 5 in off substrate. I feed them a mix of reef frenzy n brine n mysis like all my other lps. It took a while before they started producing new heads but now I've gone from 3 heads to about 8-10.

And about the marbles.....they actually make good plugs. All of mine are covered in coraline and they are easily glued onto LR.

[Dana42078]

When I'm ready I'll start another thread for the new build. No blastos in the mantis tank. Only Z's n P's, mushrooms and a war coral that was dieing in my reef so I moved it. I have blastos in my reef. Mine like low flow, about 5 in off substrate. I feed them a mix of reef frenzy n brine n mysis like all my other lps. It took a while before they started producing new heads but now I've gone from 3 heads to about 8-10.

And about the marbles.....they actually make good plugs. All of mine are covered in coraline and they are easily glued onto LR.

[Dana42078]

Stupid iPhone and it's double post...sorry.

[Dana42078]

11 months and 2 molts.....still going stong.

http://youtu.be/3vpVBv_AkxA

[NarnyTheGreat]

I cant get any of your videos to work but the pictures are amazing. I am thinking of turning my 14 gallon into a mantis tank with some zoas too. Just beautiful.

[Cptn Spaulding]

awesome setup, and beautiful mantis! i had a wennerae before in a cube with 2 pcs. he wasnt as active as i thought he would be. as for the LED's, +1 on DIY. soldering is super fun and you can make a fixture for that tank thats much brighter than what you have now for most likely under $100 in parts. i think rapidled has a DIY kit, id look into that if i were you, maybe not even put optics on it since you dont want him to get concentrated light in case of shell rot (and itd still be brighter than what you have now... not to mention the bulbs last 10-15 years!) you can light a 75 fish only tank with 6 3w LEDs without optics. at most double that on your tank at around $3-$4 a bulb and you should definitely have enough PAR for your zoas.

[Dana42078]

I cant get any of your videos to work but the pictures are amazing. I am thinking of turning my 14 gallon into a mantis tank with some zoas too. Just beautiful.

THey are youtube vids, idk why not....

awesome setup, and beautiful mantis! i had a wennerae before in a cube with 2 pcs. he wasnt as active as i thought he would be. as for the LED's, +1 on DIY. soldering is super fun and you can make a fixture for that tank thats much brighter than what you have now for most likely under $100 in parts. i think rapidled has a DIY kit, id look into that if i were you, maybe not even put optics on it since you dont want him to get concentrated light in case of shell rot (and itd still be brighter than what you have now... not to mention the bulbs last 10-15 years!) you can light a 75 fish only tank with 6 3w LEDs without optics. at most double that on your tank at around $3-$4 a bulb and you should definitely have enough PAR for your zoas.

Thanks, i know i could try to do it, just dont wanna like f-it up and waste money i guess...Once i get both upgrades in place (the reef and mantis) id dable in the whole LED thing. FOr now ill be saving for the vortech LEDs for the reef.

[Dana42078]

HE's been eating the CUC so much i hadn't fed him in over a week, but as soon as he smelled it he came right out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfqgxTZlIFc&list=UUNbwOWXBYAB7EuD3iZ0rREA&index=1&feature=plcp

[Kharn]

HE's been eating the CUC so much i hadn't fed him in over a week, but as soon as he smelled it he came right out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfqgxTZlIFc&list=UUNbwOWXBYAB7EuD3iZ0rREA&index=1&feature=plcp

I've noticed a similar albeit much more extreme trait in only 1 of my stomatopods, Morgoth the large spearing L.sulcata...when I feed him I often have loads of fun and initially what I'll do is quickly stick the "food" in the tank above him then quickly remove it.

At this point Morgoth goes NUTS he will lunge out of the burrow strike rapidly in the water as if something were infront of him he will become very very erratic!

I'll try and make a film of it tonight since I repositioned the tanks overflow allowing me to once again view Morgoth along with take pics etc.

[Dana42078]

I've noticed a similar albeit much more extreme trait in only 1 of my stomatopods, Morgoth the large spearing L.sulcata...when I feed him I often have loads of fun and initially what I'll do is quickly stick the "food" in the tank above him then quickly remove it.

At this point Morgoth goes NUTS he will lunge out of the burrow strike rapidly in the water as if something were infront of him he will become very very erratic!

I'll try and make a film of it tonight since I repositioned the tanks overflow allowing me to once again view Morgoth along with take pics etc.

lol i wanna see that! The last few mornings my GT has woke me up from smashing the CUC:headwally: THen i realized i hadnt fed him der....I like to tease him a little so he still trys to smash it and not just grab it with his lil arms. I could tell he was more agressive the way he grabbed the stick. Hopin to get a good nights rest finally.:hmm3:

[Recty]

Nice video, that is a good looking mantis. I'm somewhat new here, which mantis species is that?

[StephLionfish]

A male Gonodactylaceus ternatensis.
A stunning one at that :)

[Dana42078]

A male Gonodactylaceus ternatensis.
A stunning one at that :)



:beer: Thanks

[Dana42078]

Heres a newer FTS and view while sitting at my computer.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/FTSmantis-1.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/sideshotmantistank.jpg

[StephLionfish]

Your tank amazes me every update! Beautiful!

[Kharn]

Daymn!

This is the sort of tank that inspired me to put Zuzu the Unique into its AMAZING LOVE IT.

I'm officially Jelly :p

[Kharn]

Gonodactylaceus ternatensis might just be the best mantis to keep (or one of them) in a "reef style" setup, considering they are the largest of all Gonodactylaceus (you would see it more often then the smaller species) and they are found within certain corals too so as far as lighting being harmful to this species I don't see it being an issue.

It's the largest stomatopod that will live within bright lighting and still be active/interactive (like my large spearers dwarf the G.T. and handle bright lighting but they are no where near as interactive as a G.T.), unless I'm mistaken.

[Dana42078]

Wow looks great! Your zoas must love whatever you are doing!

HAHA thanks....just keep params in line is all but phos coz he eats like a beast.

Your tank amazes me every update! Beautiful!

haha thanks for the kind words :D

Daymn!

This is the sort of tank that inspired me to put Zuzu the Unique into its AMAZING LOVE IT.

I'm officially Jelly :p


If i ever inspire someone...well its a good feeling. This forum has made my mantis tanks what it is.




Gonodactylaceus ternatensis might just be the best mantis to keep (or one of them) in a "reef style" setup, considering they are the largest of all Gonodactylaceus (you would see it more often then the smaller species) and they are found within certain corals too so as far as lighting being harmful to this species I don't see it being an issue.

It's the largest stomatopod that will live within bright lighting and still be active/interactive (like my large spearers dwarf the G.T. and handle bright lighting but they are no where near as interactive as a G.T.), unless I'm mistaken.


I clearly got an almost full grown G.T. He's been in over 14 months. Im upgradeing him to a 40g breeder....diff lighting but alot more rock and shade....thats the last u will see from the 20g tall.... =/

[Baboo11]

I watched your vid...wow! Cool!

[Dana42078]

I watched your vid...wow! Cool!


Best


"pet"


EVER


<3:smokin:

[mndfreeze]

We need someone to make a mantis emoticon for the forum. So instead of smilies :) :D etc we have a mantis face going 'errrrrrrrrrrrrhhh?!?!?' and googling at you!

[Dana42078]

ello g'vna


http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/ElGuapo.jpg

[mndfreeze]

hahaha I absolutely love the face on photo's of mantis. They have the best 'faces' ever!

Especially with the eyes aiming different ways. "Soooooo drunnkkk, geerrrrrrrrrrr<slobber>"

[Dana42078]

Well he disappeared into his burrow the last week and a half. Seems like another successful molt out of the way....but then again i havent seen him yet. (yes i have a cyno issue but didnt want to do multiple WC's while he was molting.)

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/77db804e.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/0d484423.jpg

[Kharn]

Your nano looks so nice I am green with envy =) I have had '0' luck keeping coral in my nano ='[ all have shown signs of stress/dislike so they have all been removed/moved to my large spearer tank, in the spearer tank they re-open up and seem to thrive.

I only pray I get a similar result once my ultimate multi mantis system is setup as I really hope to basically fill Stand A & B with nice mushrooms and zoa's =)

Really really nice setup =)

[Dana42078]

For the most part i think ive just been lucky. Its had to keep up on such frequent WC's. So because of that and the fact El Guapo is like 6 inches big im rehoming him into this. Just have to finish buying the parts for my upgraded reef tank.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/555f7e10.jpg

[Dana42078]

So i decided to pull out the molt that he tossed out his den. Upon examining it, (not playing with!) I had my first real, your stupid moment.....I always read on here that bashers also have a spear, but i just never seen it i guess...idk why im even sharing this because i totally feel stupid lol

Closed

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/62e1fd8d.jpg


open

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/fb345cd1.jpg


the rest of what he didnt eat.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/2918fc14.jpg

[FLMantis]

Don't feel stupid Dana. I was in the same boat until I watched the fastest claw in the west a couple of months ago. Lol

[TundraGuy]

I remember the first time I got to play with the molted club and thought “wait I thought I had a smasher what gives?” Then I read more from Roy and realized that smashers still have a spike very different then stabber. In terms of food checking its almost useless but to a well placed knuckle on a finger……… well you’ve heard the stories. lol

[Dana42078]

I remember the first time I got to play with the molted club and thought “wait I thought I had a smasher what gives?” Then I read more from Roy and realized that smashers still have a spike very different then stabber. In terms of food checking its almost useless but to a well placed knuckle on a finger……… well you’ve heard the stories. lol

Well Ive been offered money to hand feed...Lets just say i changed my mind.:facepalm:

[StephLionfish]

So i decided to pull out the molt that he tossed out his den. Upon examining it, (not playing with!) I had my first real, your stupid moment.....I always read on here that bashers also have a spear, but i just never seen it i guess...idk why im even sharing this because i totally feel stupid lol

Lol! I had no idea that they opened until just a couple of days ago. I blushed for about ten minutes at my own stupidity. Glad to know I'm not the only one :D

ps.. I'd totally play with the little smashers if my mantis left them for me! My Ciliata never did. :rolleye1:

[Dana42078]

Lol! I had no idea that they opened until just a couple of days ago. I blushed for about ten minutes at my own stupidity. Glad to know I'm not the only one :D

ps.. I'd totally play with the little smashers if my mantis left them for me! My Ciliata never did. :rolleye1:

Jus crazy as this is 4th molt...I bought him jan of 2011...and Dr. Roy says he's full grown

[TundraGuy]

El Guapo is the best name! foavorit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mTUmczVdik
hehehehe
that upgrade is going to be nice. you already have a flare for set ups can't wait to see the new one.

[Dana42078]

Well after feeding usually he goes back into the burrow to eat. Not today....he sat there and stared at me while he ate....can you say creepy! (sorry didnt have time to bust out the dslr)

<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid1219.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd428%2Fdanahag42078%2F29750201.mp4">

[gnasher]

Hahaha Dana, I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but I've thought for some time now that your mantis is by far the creepiest I've ever seen! I love all the videos you post of him. One of my all time favorite mantis videos is the "toying with decorator crab" one.

[Dana42078]

Hahaha Dana, I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but I've thought for some time now that your mantis is by far the creepiest I've ever seen! I love all the videos you post of him. One of my all time favorite mantis videos is the "toying with decorator crab" one.

:lol2: He's a creeper for sure. Thanks for watching my vids! The decorator crab is also one of my fav's. :thumbsup:

[badharley99]

great thread love all the info and pics

[mndfreeze]

Someone please post link to said decorator crab video, because I'm epic failing at finding it myself.

[Dana42078]

Someone please post link to said decorator crab video, because I'm epic failing at finding it myself.

He is talking bout this vid i believe :dance: Always makes me giggle....wish i had windows 7 to edit it with music...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ6JNSwtL00&list=UUNbwOWXBYAB7EuD3iZ0rREA&index=9&feature=plcp

[mndfreeze]

Hahahaaha that video was awesome. I almost wonder if he was trying to 'build' with him at first because I cannot fathom at all what was going through his head. He didn't pop it even once.

[Dana42078]

LMFAO. Ikr....when im filming it im thinking when is he gunna smash his face in and just haul his a$$ in. I ended up leaveing and going somewhere and came back and all the legs were all throughout the tank lol. I ended up picking them out coz clearly he didnt want them and didnt want anything rotting in there. This reminds me...its prolly been 2 months since he got somethin alive for food...hmmmm

[mndfreeze]

Well, that answers my other question which was 'I wonder if googly will leave a deco crab alone like some of the other oddball inverts I've had'

Guessing NO is the answer. haha.

[mndfreeze]

Oh, googly did indeed kill and eat my sexy shrimp also. Took him a month or two but he finally did.

[Kharn]

The fish store where I got my tanks made had a "crab" in a quarantine tank and it had a "4 sale" on it but no price, it LOOKED like a decorator crab and I thought it might be a bit of fun for Maximus but I never bought it. lol

[Dana42078]

Lol really? He left the sexy shrimp alone that long? I remember when I had to banish my cleaner shrimp out my reef tank they didn't move from the upper corner of the tank until they got ate lol. My GT hates any inverts equally lol. I'm waiting for him to get tired of the fish in there and spear them ha!

[Kharn]

I'm waiting for him to get tired of the fish in there and spear them ha!

THAT would be an exceptionally rare sight for a smasher something that could be worth GOLD on camera!

[mndfreeze]

Yeah, like I said Googly is really picky it seems. He used to be a lot more agressive when I first got him to everything. I used to have to replace snails non-stop along with hermits and anything else.

Currently his tank mates are

Rescue yellow tang
Blue devil Damsel
Blue spotted watchman goby + tiger pistol
Candy cane pistol
Turbo, trochus, astrea, nassarius snails
Various hermits. Blue legged, common red reef, scarlets, left handed hermits.
Elephant snails (Scutus limpets)
Giant black brittle star
Tiger Tail cucumber

There was sexy shrimp, but he got one and the other jumped.

I really want to get a conch to help with the sand bed, hoping if I get a big enough one he will leave it be, but I'm not sure. I can't find anyone with experience on this one.

[Kharn]

Yeah, like I said Googly is really picky it seems. He used to be a lot more agressive when I first got him to everything. I used to have to replace snails non-stop along with hermits and anything else.

Currently his tank mates are

Rescue yellow tang
Blue devil Damsel
Blue spotted watchman goby + tiger pistol
Candy cane pistol
Turbo, trochus, astrea, nassarius snails
Various hermits. Blue legged, common red reef, scarlets, left handed hermits.
Elephant snails (Scutus limpets)
Giant black brittle star
Tiger Tail cucumber

There was sexy shrimp, but he got one and the other jumped.

I really want to get a conch to help with the sand bed, hoping if I get a big enough one he will leave it be, but I'm not sure. I can't find anyone with experience on this one.

Can't say much about smashers but I know spearers tend to "dislike" them only cause the conch doesn't care who it "p*sses off!" I have often seen my strombus snails (similar to conch) begin to creep up towards the entrance of either Leviathan or Morgoth only for the stomatopod to pop up really fast with a threatening display, when the snail isn't phased by it they will defensively strike it (last rapt closed) and because the snail is either stupid or loves to "p*ss off" stomatopods, it keeps creeping forward, at this point the large spearer comes out, picks the snail up in its claws and flings it away like some sort of upside down catapult.

I have lost 2 conch snails to Morgoth alone, mostly the snails faults for being relentless in there annoyance of Morgoth, they kept on trying to get down his burrow and they actually DID get down into it.....only to become a part of it. Morgoth sealed them in the walls of his burrow with his mucus trapping them and essentially killing them, even now when a window opens near where they were sealed in, I can see the tip or a part of the conch shell in the wall inside the burrow.

As far as snails and smashers go I can see a smasher just having a ball of fun with them constantly trying to figure out how to "crack the safe" it might take them a while but there consistency is thorough. I saw a lot of "cat and mouse" with Maximus and a Large Trochus (too big for even him to handle) when he realized initially that the snail is in a really tough shell he started to "hide" himself behind the snail, as the snail started to come back out thinking the threat is over, Maximus would quickly grab its footing with his maxil- lipedes, in the end this is how he got the snail out of its shell and into his tummy.

[Dana42078]

Wow I'm jealous mndfreeze. Maybe once I get the 40g up for him he will leave some more stuff alone. I think mine would kill a pistol shrimp. He would find a way....then again like I said its a small tank for his size.

Kharn I was always interested in what a spearer does when snails and crabs enter its burrow..... Catch a vid I'd love to see it.

[mndfreeze]

Well, the key was the mantis went in a week or two after the other stuff. My 14G was still limping along when my kids 20g cracked and needed emergency move to the new 40B still at 80% cycle. So the pistols had more then enough time to get buried and digging in the rock work. There was a thread with everyone speculating the pistol would try to kill the mantis but they live in the same rock outcrop and everything, never an issue. Only thing I notice is they keep the hole covered most of the time now, with the goby never really out of it. He is either scared shizzleleess of the mantis, or the tang. Seems more like the tang though.

Googly does not care about fish at all. In fact the other day I let a friend feed him his krill. The damsel came over and tried to steal it. Managed to get it off the skewer but googly grabbed the other side and they tug o war'd for it. Was hillarious looking. Googly never struck at the damsel.

Damsel used to even sleep in his hole in the 14G.

[Dana42078]

Lmao. My fish do the same but I make sure I put it on tight so they can't nibble it off. I'm pretty sure my fish know who it's for and when he comes out they scatter like roaches. I'd bet your goby is more scared of the tang than anything. Psh...if a pistol shrimp ever killed my GT that Mother would be the size of a lobster lol.

[Dana42078]

Got a vid uploading...i teased him out for a photo op and he wouldnt sit still :(

Not the best

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/mantis12337277.jpg

[Dana42078]

Ok....next vid will have some kind of measurement tool...thinking masking tape....but after i teased him....he musta thought it was food because he ran around the tank for a good hour.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbSL6cBSgO0&list=UUNbwOWXBYAB7EuD3iZ0rREA&index=1&feature=plcp

[Dana42078]

Seriously has wiped out my CUC...idk how he eats so much.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnAbSaLS67I&feature=youtu.be

[TundraGuy]

Laziest mantis ever. I think the dottieback was more interested in the snail. Lol J/K nice timing on that vid. Your bids and pix are always so beautiful.

[Dana42078]

Laziest mantis ever. I think the dottieback was more interested in the snail. Lol J/K nice timing on that vid. Your bids and pix are always so beautiful.

Lol, I thought the same thing! I was thinking maybe he just didn't like the snail being there. That dotty back is a beast. He nips at snails all the time, almost killed my ORA yellow assessor when I had him in my reef tank.

Thanks for looking/watching as well.:fish1:

[Dana42078]

Dunno how many ppl read this anymore but my GT went into hiding after killing most of the CUC that was in there. (molt time) Today i woke up and well....i think he's gone. 17 months I had him. Im seriously at a loss for words. First this week i lost a 2 year old mandarian that i hand fed, now this guy. Seems like shyt happens in bunches. What a shame. :(

[Dana42078]

I want to say it was a bad molt. Thanks for anyone who followed my thread.

Molt found in his burrow

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/ab0f1d80.jpg


http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd428/danahag42078/4ce030b3.jpg

[Kharn]

Well it looks like its a pritty grown up G.T. anyway....perhaps it was at the end of its time being full grown (I sense this in Maximus my freakishly large G.graphurus).

Its sad ='[

But at least it lived the remainder of its years in peace and in a place truly dedicated to itself....if that isn't mantis heaven on earth then nothing is quite frankly....

R.I.P. lil' buddy!

[TundraGuy]

So sorry. I always looked forward to your pix of him. Your skill with reefs shows in your pix of the mantis. Don't get discouraged

[Dana42078]

Well it looks like its a pritty grown up G.T. anyway....perhaps it was at the end of its time being full grown (I sense this in Maximus my freakishly large G.graphurus).

Its sad ='[

But at least it lived the remainder of its years in peace and in a place truly dedicated to itself....if that isn't mantis heaven on earth then nothing is quite frankly....

R.I.P. lil' buddy!

So sorry. I always looked forward to your pix of him. Your skill with reefs shows in your pix of the mantis. Don't get discouraged

Thanks guys. It means a lot.

[Kharn]

Because I tend to see my stomatopods (specifically the smashers due to there inquisitive and playful nature) as little puppies I a kin this to waking up one morning and seeing your new puppy dead on the floor...heart wrenching ='[

[Dana42078]

Because I tend to see my stomatopods (specifically the smashers due to there inquisitive and playful nature) as little puppies I a kin this to waking up one morning and seeing your new puppy dead on the floor...heart wrenching ='[

And that's why I post here for your support. Most ppl don't see mantis's in the same light as we do here. It's been a rough day to say the least. He will be forever missed.

[StephLionfish]

I'm so sorry, Dana :( I, too, felt like my mantis was a puppy. Took a piece out of me when she died. Your mantis had a good life with you.

[gnasher]

I'm sad to hear about this, so I can only imagine how you feel Dana. You have my condolences. Your guy was one of my favorite mantises on this forum and I always looked forward to seeing updates on this thread. At least you guys made a ton of good video together and you'll always have that to remember him by.

[gnasher]

Oh, and that mantis was no puppy Dana, you kept a lion. ;)