Mantis Shrimp & Urchin?

Robert_92 · 10/31/2012, 08:48 PM

Hey guys, I have a big 50 gallon tank that's set up, and a new 30gallon I'm setting up for a peacock mantis shrimp.

I'm wondering if I can just ditch the 50 gallon, and put the urchin and other hermits & snails I have (I realize the hermits and snails will probably die, maybe I'll stick them in the sump) with the 30 gallon and mantis shrimp. As long as he doesn't attack my Urchin. (Black Spined Urchin)

I don't have any fish yet, just some coral and live rock, and a decorator crab besides the hermits and snail.

Jacwil · 11/01/2012, 06:01 AM

Difficult to say but IMO, once that urchin strolls near the den of your stom, problems will arise for the urchin.

TundraGuy · 11/01/2012, 07:25 AM

My peacock took a black long spin apart and eat the meaty insides. I thought it might happen but was thinking it unlikely due to them being found in different parts of the reef. I also thought being that a peacock would rather go for the snails, crabs, and hermit crabs. But as many of us can attest to these animals toy with and figure out how to attack and kill potential pre till they get what they want. So having seen a peacock eat a long spine and make a huge mess of broken spines in the tank I have to tell you the something i tell everyone about keeping a mantis; don't put anything in the mantis tank your not willing to lose. Also a 30 is small for a long spine they will out grow it but to me a 50 or 55 seems small for them. Hope this helps u make your decision.

Gonodactylus · 11/01/2012, 08:29 AM

O. scyllarus will feed on a variety of urchins although other echinoderms (cucumbers, starfish, sandollars, crinoids, brittlestars) are usually not attacked as prey. That doesn't mean that they won't be rearranged as part of the furniture.

Roy

Robert_92 · 11/01/2012, 09:12 AM

Okay thanks guys! Guess I'm keeping this 50gallon, haha.

TundraGuy · 11/01/2012, 03:21 PM

The Doc has spoken!

VaderWS6 · 11/02/2012, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TundraGuy

The Doc has spoken!

hikarishadow · 11/07/2012, 11:35 PM

I know Dr. Roy has already been here, but to add...
I strongly suspect my black longspine urchin had something to do with the untimely death of my very young peacock. She'd just finished molting and I gave her a few hours of "mantis mouth to mouth" with a turkey baster flushing her gills before she died twitching like she'd been poisoned. I would avoid putting the two together for the sake of both sides.

Good luck with your mantis adventure.

10/31/2012, 08:48 PM	#1
Robert_92 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 42	Mantis Shrimp & Urchin? Hey guys, I have a big 50 gallon tank that's set up, and a new 30gallon I'm setting up for a peacock mantis shrimp. I'm wondering if I can just ditch the 50 gallon, and put the urchin and other hermits & snails I have (I realize the hermits and snails will probably die, maybe I'll stick them in the sump) with the 30 gallon and mantis shrimp. As long as he doesn't attack my Urchin. (Black Spined Urchin) I don't have any fish yet, just some coral and live rock, and a decorator crab besides the hermits and snail.

11/01/2012, 06:01 AM	#2
Jacwil Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bloomfield, NY Posts: 3,471	Difficult to say but IMO, once that urchin strolls near the den of your stom, problems will arise for the urchin. __________________ "Everyday I go to work I pray my gf wont sell my tank before I get home!" Cameron0611 -Justin

11/01/2012, 07:25 AM	#3
TundraGuy MantisOholic Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Washington DC Posts: 1,946	My peacock took a black long spin apart and eat the meaty insides. I thought it might happen but was thinking it unlikely due to them being found in different parts of the reef. I also thought being that a peacock would rather go for the snails, crabs, and hermit crabs. But as many of us can attest to these animals toy with and figure out how to attack and kill potential pre till they get what they want. So having seen a peacock eat a long spine and make a huge mess of broken spines in the tank I have to tell you the something i tell everyone about keeping a mantis; don't put anything in the mantis tank your not willing to lose. Also a 30 is small for a long spine they will out grow it but to me a 50 or 55 seems small for them. Hope this helps u make your decision. __________________ No there is no such thing as over filtering a tank. Slow is smooth, smooth is steady, and steady is fast. Current Tank Info: Enough to be considered an addict.

11/01/2012, 03:21 PM	#6
TundraGuy MantisOholic Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Washington DC Posts: 1,946	The Doc has spoken! __________________ No there is no such thing as over filtering a tank. Slow is smooth, smooth is steady, and steady is fast. Current Tank Info: Enough to be considered an addict.

11/01/2012, 08:29 AM	#4
Gonodactylus Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Berkeley, CA, USA Posts: 5,024	O. scyllarus will feed on a variety of urchins although other echinoderms (cucumbers, starfish, sandollars, crinoids, brittlestars) are usually not attacked as prey. That doesn't mean that they won't be rearranged as part of the furniture. Roy

11/01/2012, 09:12 AM	#5
Robert_92 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 42	Okay thanks guys! Guess I'm keeping this 50gallon, haha.

11/07/2012, 11:35 PM	#8
hikarishadow Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Aurora, CO Posts: 170	I know Dr. Roy has already been here, but to add... I strongly suspect my black longspine urchin had something to do with the untimely death of my very young peacock. She'd just finished molting and I gave her a few hours of "mantis mouth to mouth" with a turkey baster flushing her gills before she died twitching like she'd been poisoned. I would avoid putting the two together for the sake of both sides. Good luck with your mantis adventure.