Need help with choosing a mantis.

[rlf_racing]

First off let me say hi to everyone in this forum. At the moment I have a 75 gal. fowlr tank, and a 12 gal nano with just live rock. Within the next few months I will be building a 50 to 60 gal somewhat bio cube. I would like to know which species are avaliable? Which species I should start with? I have done a little research on Dr. Roys page and found a few that caught my eye. Some small and a couple that get big. I will list the scientific and common names if they have on. They are:

Neogonodactylus Wennerea ( AKA Caribbean rock mantis)
Gonodactylus Smithii (AKA Purple-spotted mantis)
Gonodactylaceus Ternatensis
Odontodactylus Scyllarus (AKA Peacock mantis)
Lysiosquillina Maculata (AKA Zebra mantis)

Would any of these be a good choice to start with or do any of you here have a better option? The bio cube that I will be building will be designated as a mantis tank with possible soft corals. So any help would be greatly helpful.

[Pea-brain]

N.wennerae is a good mantis for high light/small tank situations, but will ikely be lost in a 50-60 gallons. Same with N. wennerae. G. ternatensis might also be lost, but is a good choice. Peacoks are colorful and active, but aren't good for high light and are pretty likely to move corals. L. macs needs a large part of tank sectioned off for sand burrow. ANd you won't be able to keep fish.

Dan

[DanInSD]

For a 50, I'd go for a peacock (O. scyllarus).

Given my current mindset, I'd put an N. wennerae in the 12 and turn the 50 into an SPS tank. But that's just me

Dan

[justinl]

Yeah i basically agree with the above. N. wennerae, G. smithii and G. ternatensis can basically be treated the same and are great choices in a 12gal. I have a G. smitii (8 gal reef) and an O. scyllarus (60 gal... MOWLR?) and i love em both. The O scyllarus needs at least 30 gal but imo is well worth it if you're willing to sacrafice having most fish, coral and most CUC. fish arent guaranteed to survive with it. I personally dont think an L. maculata would be a good choice for a starter mantis; it isnt a difficult critter to keep alive, i just think there are better choices.

if you can find one, Ive always wanted to try out a P. ciliata (would do well in a 12gal). from all accounts, they are great mantids.