Anyone Keep Mantids?

RayRay · #1 (**permalink**) 10-30-2009, 04:07 PM

I like these things.

I was wondering if anyone kept them, and what species are attractive and easy to keep for a beginner?

I'm probably not gonna go out and catch one, but I know there are a ton of species to choose from.

Reptscue · #2 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 01:30 AM

I don't keep them because in FL you cannot own any non native species and I feel bad taking wild specimens.
They are beautiful, but they don't have a long lifespan.

KyleZ · #3 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 05:21 PM

I kept a huge Carolina Mantis that I found when I was a kid one late summer thru winter. I fed her mostly grasshoppers, crickets and roaches. She was a pregnant female that dropped a huge egg-blob, but then died shortly thereafter. Apparently they mostly do not live more than a year, no matter what you do for them.

She was really fun and interesting/morbid to observe though... They seem 'intelligent' for a bug, and their feeding routines are brutal and fascinating. Like watching an alien from a sci-fi movie slowly dismembering and eating their victims alive.

Sakara · #4 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 05:24 PM

I kept one for a few months when I was a kid. I was surprised it lived that long haha. they are awesome though

Caleb Bryant · #5 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 05:30 PM

Truth be told, they scare me.

RayRay · #6 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyleZ

I kept a huge Carolina Mantis that I found when I was a kid one late summer thru winter. I fed her mostly grasshoppers, crickets and roaches. She was a pregnant female that dropped a huge egg-blob, but then died shortly thereafter. Apparently they mostly do not live more than a year, no matter what you do for them.
She was really fun and interesting/morbid to observe though... They seem 'intelligent' for a bug, and their feeding routines are brutal and fascinating. Like watching an alien from a sci-fi movie slowly dismembering and eating their victims alive.

This is why I need to have one. Perhaps I will catch one and keep it for a while so I can watch it do some cool stuff before I let it go. It's a shame they don't live that long. :C

ekanS · #7 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 04:10 AM

Yea!!! Shaniqua's back!

Well, better late than never...I still entertain the idea of keeping mantids from time to time. I'm sure I will some day.

Welcome to Total Mantis, Caresheets, Mantids for Sale, etc.

Mantis Kingdom, Buy Praying Mantids and Supplies.

Stigma · #8 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 04:19 AM

I caught this mantis a few months back. I was gonna keep it in this little enclosure I have, but after showin pics of her on this site I was told she was a pregnant female. So I decided to let her go.
They are pretty cool though.

Edit: I did feed her a few crickets before I let her go, and was later told that I shouldn't have fed her anything. :/ Either way it was cool watching her eat the crickets.

RayRay · #9 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 04:48 AM

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing. Are there any inverts (limited to 6 legs) that make easy pets? Anything with over 8 legs frightens me.

nediver · #10 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 04:58 AM

I kept this kind of Mantis for a few years.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/26/60...fbe727414a.jpg

Very cool animals and super smart. Read up on them. There called Peacock Mantis. I know its not what you were thinking but its what I thought of as soon as I clicked on the thread.

RayRay · #11 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nediver

I kept this kind of Mantis for a few years.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/26/60...fbe727414a.jpg

Very cool animals and super smart. Read up on them. There called Peacock Mantis. I know its not what you were thinking but its what I thought of as soon as I clicked on the thread.

Dude I'm sold. They look really bizarre and that is hardcore awesome! Any links to care of them?

Reptscue · #12 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 01:16 AM

That's a mantis shrimp... it would be the only thing in the tank and the "snap" they make with their claws can shatter glass and acrylic.... Although pretty... I wouldn't want one...
But that's me.

RayRay · #13 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reptscue

That's a mantis shrimp... it would be the only thing in the tank and the "snap" they make with their claws can shatter glass and acrylic.... Although pretty... I wouldn't want one...
But that's me.

Yeah I know. I wonder how well they'd do in a mini reef.

nediver · #14 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reptscue

That's a mantis shrimp... it would be the only thing in the tank and the "snap" they make with their claws can shatter glass and acrylic.... Although pretty... I wouldn't want one...
But that's me.

There is a guy Dr Roy Caldwell who is the expert on these Shrimp, just google his name you will find tons of his research. They are really easy to keep, great eaters, not depending, water quality doesn't have to be perfect. Think about it this way, lots of people get Live Rock and then have it shipped in boxes from say Fiji and it takes weeks and the ammonia count is through the roof with everything dying off into the water. Then a year later your messing with your pumps cause you here a clicking noise all the time, but mostly at night. Your fish start disappearing and def all your crabs and stuff. chances are you have a "hitch hiker" as its called in the aquarium hobby, and its most def a mantis shrimp. So are they hardy? hmm...think 3 weeks in a box from fiji or tonga in rotting water with no food only to end up at your all you can eat reef buffet. Yep, they got hardy covered. Do some research you will find out all you need. They can break glass but it is very rare, go with any number of the small acrylic tanks offered these days, that extra layer of safety makes people feel better. Also, there are spearers and smashers so not all have the same odds in smashing, though it is very likely to get a smasher as spearers are harder to come by. I mean anything is likely, some boas pee on the rug when free roaming but it doesn't keep you from keeping them right? Anything has possible negative to it, but I think they are more than rewarding. From memory there are tons of feeding videos on you tube. With something that beautiful why keep anything else in the tank. It is a species only tank, just like a snake enclosure. If you do your research you will be even more fascinated with them. They can be trained, they recognize their owners, taught colors and shapes, they know when its feeding time...they really are fascinating. Usually a square tank with a pile of live rock in a cave or den shape and lots of rubble rock. Peacocks can be purchased from aquarium dealers or special ordered. PM me if you want more advice or details. I kept and consulted on enough salt water aquariums to know the deal, and I dive hence my nick name.

nediver · #15 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 03:10 AM

Here is a good one. I forgot but the video reminded me, there eyes are crazy, they spend a lot of time looking out of their hides...watching you as you pass by. They mention how complex their eyes are, I remember seeing a TV spot on Discovery years ago where they covered the animals with best eye sight and Peacocks were at the top.

YouTube - Peacock Mantis Shrimp

also info here The Lurker's Guide to Stomatopods - Mantis Shrimp

and go to reefcentral.com lots of info there but its a pay sight

KyleZ · #16 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 03:10 AM

I'll admit they do seem neat... Is it true they can take a finger off in an instant?

nediver · #17 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KyleZ

I'll admit they do seem neat... Is it true they can take a finger off in an instant?

Nope, but what situation would you need to try? If you get into the big ones like 12-18cm then they can hit bone and there is a case of some nasty infections setting in. Thats always a great way to lose a finger. Same risk with a bite from a dog, cat, and a pile of bacterium.

BlackLava · #18 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 06:46 AM

those guys are so neat

but i havent a clue on how to care for a SW tank

snakehooked · #19 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 08:03 AM

Ok that thing is psychedelic. I love it.

Stigma · #20 (**permalink**) 11-07-2009, 06:57 PM

If u have seen the show on discovery "Planet Earth" Or whatevere the heck it was called, they show one of those shrimp. They are AWESOME. Tough lil suckers.

Advertisement