An intelligent shrimp

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OnceLoyal

OnceLoyal

Candiru
MFK Member
May 13, 2008
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Although a Mantis is not a true shrimp I just wanted to share something with everyone really quick about this awsome predator. Anyone who doesn't know about Mantis shrimp could do a quick google search that will teach ya just about everything you need to know in minutes. THEY ARE BAD ASS!!! and one of the ultimate predators on earth lol...
Anyway, I gave my peacock mantis a hermit that was too large for him to break the shell. After a couple of hours he was getting frustrated (and I mean that in the litteral sense). He dropped the crab, backed up, and analyized the situation. HE RECOGNIZED AND DEVELOPED!!!!! (recognized a problem and developed a solution).. HEHE sorry I tell all my workers that. I repeat IT over and over in meetings - RECOGNIZE AND DEVELOP - REDUNDANCIES AND BACKUPS!!!! What did he do next? He picked it up, flipped it over so the opening to the shell was facing up. Dug a hole and put the hermit inside. He backed up for a second, then proceeded to fill the hole with sand. The hermit had to come out sooner or later or he would surely suffocate., and when he did. BAMM!!!!!!!! One shot one kill!!!!!! I love "Manti" the mantis shrimp.
I am just amazed every other day at what I see this little guy do.
 
Great story, they are badass! I had no idea what they were, until I started working p/t at an LFS. One day I was just browsing around checking everything out when I noticed a tupperware container floating in one of our saltwater tanks. So of course I picked it up to inspect it, then BAM! the damn thing hit the side of the container SO hard! It scared the crap outta me, I jumped so hard I almost dropped it on the floor. A few customers saw the whole thing and were laughing their ass off at me. It was a good 5" in size so I'm sure you imagine how hard it hit my finger.

Respect the mantis!
 
Yeah man a 5 " Mantis will take your finger to the bone with a direct hit.
The crazy thing is when people hear the noise of impact.... there are actually 2 noises. Mostly what you hear is the pop from the water cavitating because he hits so damn fast. Amazing ehh?
I could try to get a vid up of it sometime. I don't see why not. That is if I can get him to replicate it again and I can get a good enough shot in his cave. Thats where he took it. They are so cool... I don't talk about him too much, but I just had to share this story. It just amazed me. They can differentiate people and everything. Anyway I am glad you gusy enjoyed it. I am bored at work and just felt like sharing!!
 
Yea, I sure wouldn't want to take a hit from one. Are they reef safe? I'm going to be doing my first salt water tank within the next few months, and having one or two fo these guys is definately at the top of my list. Can you keep fish with them or will they kill em?
 
To be honest? Nothing is safe with the Mantis. There are smaller species though like a Wenn. and some other wierd long scientific names that would be ok. Clowns with host anemones can work. At least it does for me. I started out with 3 clowns and 4 damsels. There are no damsels left. They are very quick and aggresive fish too. It just takes one time for them to be a little slow though. I wouldn't recommend it. They are kind of a single species tank deal. I do have to say though my 2 get along fine and everyone tells me they will kill each other (thats what all the pros say anyway). 8 months and going strong. The little guy "tyson" actually breaks live rock. He made himself a few burrows in the rock itself. Also you run the risk of them busting your tank glass when they get bigger if your not housing them in an acrylic. You never know until you try I guess. If you do decide to do it. Do not go with a Peacock. Go with a smaller guy. Obviously a smasher is "safer" but not safe with fish then the spearer, but the smashers will decimate your cleanup crew (crabs, snails, hell mine even killed 3 out of 4 feather dusters lol).
 
im was looking into doing a 30 with a peacock any info you could share on these or a good site for info?
 
Reefcentral.com has a whole forum just for them.They have pretty good info. To me the Peacock is beautiful. One of the most colorful things around. I keep the salinity at .025, they seem petty hardy so nothing special about them. I feed mine freshwater fidlers, sally lightfoots, regualr fidlers I catch, talapia, feeder fish, squid, and scallops.
Be carefulwith a glass tank when they get bigger and don't play with them cause they can hurt ya bad. You will be amazed at how intelligent they are. They all have different personalities from what i have seen. Some are VERY aggressive and others are a little more laid back. Gt one man, you willnot be upset.
 
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