had to save the mantis last night

lillurker · 08/16/2007, 06:14 PM

So, I bought a couple of new pieces of live rock, one's a tonga and the other is, well I dunno, it has a xmas tree shape and a few feather dusters on it. This one almost did it in for my mantis.
About three hours after placing the rocks, my mantis, who I have finally named "Carnage" decides to dig under it. Well it sinks down right on top of him. I happen to walk in to take a peek, and he's buried up to his eyeballs. I didn't figure at first his predicament, until I see him try and dig some more. The rock started to sink more. So I lifted the rock and he rocketed away. Not even a simple thank you, jeez.

Agu · 08/16/2007, 06:30 PM

You're lucky he didn't whack you when he had the chance

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Ladipyg · 08/20/2007, 10:26 PM

When you've got any kind of digger, but sure the rock is sitting on the bottom when you put it in the tank, not just on the sand..otherwise collapses like that are very common.

Gonodactylus · 08/21/2007, 08:29 AM

Actually, this is normal digging behavior in the field. The animal was probably not in any danger. If it wanted out, believe me, it would have exited.

Roy

Ladipyg · 08/21/2007, 10:51 AM

Digging behavior is normal, but not when rocks are set on the top of the sand and shift to the bottom as the mantis is digging and moving the initial support..

Gonodactylus · 08/21/2007, 11:52 AM

In fact, loose rocks on the surface are excavated. The animals often did below the surface looking for entrances to cavities. The result is that stomatopods play a roll in partially burying rocks into the substrate. When I'm looking for gonodactylids, this is one of the cues that I use to spot occupied rubble.

Roy

lillurker · 08/23/2007, 07:16 PM

Yeah, my mantis has managed to excavate almost all the sand on one side of the tank to the other, I have one live rock that is almost completely buried in sand. Thats not bad for live rock is it?

08/16/2007, 06:14 PM	#1
lillurker Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 98	had to save the mantis last night So, I bought a couple of new pieces of live rock, one's a tonga and the other is, well I dunno, it has a xmas tree shape and a few feather dusters on it. This one almost did it in for my mantis. About three hours after placing the rocks, my mantis, who I have finally named "Carnage" decides to dig under it. Well it sinks down right on top of him. I happen to walk in to take a peek, and he's buried up to his eyeballs. I didn't figure at first his predicament, until I see him try and dig some more. The rock started to sink more. So I lifted the rock and he rocketed away. Not even a simple thank you, jeez. __________________ Its the internet people!!!! Play nice!!! Current Tank Info: 28 gallon bow front. Instant ocean skimmer. Aqua Tech 20-40 power filter, 2x65 Lunar Aqualight. Sump in work

08/16/2007, 06:30 PM	#2
Agu RC Mod Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Venice, Florida Posts: 30,275	You're lucky he didn't whack you when he had the chance . __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

08/20/2007, 10:26 PM	#3
Ladipyg Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alpena, Arkansas Posts: 2,287	When you've got any kind of digger, but sure the rock is sitting on the bottom when you put it in the tank, not just on the sand..otherwise collapses like that are very common. __________________ I don't carry a gun to be macho...I carry a gun cause I'm too young to die and too old to take a butt whippin'. Current Tank Info: Building my stand for my new tank...I have everything else ready to go.

08/21/2007, 10:51 AM	#5
Ladipyg Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alpena, Arkansas Posts: 2,287	Digging behavior is normal, but not when rocks are set on the top of the sand and shift to the bottom as the mantis is digging and moving the initial support.. __________________ I don't carry a gun to be macho...I carry a gun cause I'm too young to die and too old to take a butt whippin'. Current Tank Info: Building my stand for my new tank...I have everything else ready to go.

08/23/2007, 07:16 PM	#7
lillurker Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 98	Yeah, my mantis has managed to excavate almost all the sand on one side of the tank to the other, I have one live rock that is almost completely buried in sand. Thats not bad for live rock is it? __________________ Its the internet people!!!! Play nice!!! Current Tank Info: 28 gallon bow front. Instant ocean skimmer. Aqua Tech 20-40 power filter, 2x65 Lunar Aqualight. Sump in work

08/21/2007, 08:29 AM	#4
Gonodactylus Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Berkeley, CA, USA Posts: 4,566	Actually, this is normal digging behavior in the field. The animal was probably not in any danger. If it wanted out, believe me, it would have exited. Roy

08/21/2007, 11:52 AM	#6
Gonodactylus Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Berkeley, CA, USA Posts: 4,566	In fact, loose rocks on the surface are excavated. The animals often did below the surface looking for entrances to cavities. The result is that stomatopods play a roll in partially burying rocks into the substrate. When I'm looking for gonodactylids, this is one of the cues that I use to spot occupied rubble. Roy